l|!lli'({|;j!li||i|jii!ii.)il(^jfif:!^ 



ilCMDEE-DEE 

rifS FRJEiNDS 



^ 




Vv 



■"^ 






vVrtRD SANDERSON 



^''-V' -vS- ' 




Class. 
BoGk„ 



(}Op)tiglltl^^- 



CQPXRIGHT DEPOSm 



I 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 




I'm Pretty Good at Getting Insects out froai under the 

Bark' " 

Page 14 



CHICKADEE-DEE 
AND HIS FRIENDS 



BY 



LYLE WARD SANDERSON 



WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR AND 

EIGHT IN BLACK-AND-WHITE 

BY 

SIDNEY T, CALWWHILL 




NEW YORK 

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 






Copyright, 1916, by 

Frederick A. Stokes Company 



All rights reserved induling that of translation into Joreign languages. 



ii 



SEP -6 1916 

©CI.A438244 



TO 

HELEN, DOROTHEA, PAGE, AND JOHN 

THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED 

BY THE AUTHOR 



PREFACE 

Frank M. Chapman urges, "If you would 
reap the purest pleasures of youth, manhood, 
and old age, go to the birds and through them 
be brought within the ennobling influences of 
Nature. Go yourself to the field and learn that 
birds do not exist solely in books, but are con- 
crete, sentient beings, whose acquaintance may 
bring you more unalloyed happiness than the 
wealth of the Indies." 

These little stories have been written with the 
hope that they may cause many children to make 
the acquaintance of the birds of the orchard and 
meadow, and to feel a very friendly interest in 
them. 

The author is greatly indebted to many stand- 
ard authorities on bird-life. Thanks are due 
to John Martin's Book, a magazine for little 
children, for kind permission to reprint two of 
these stories, and to other periodicals for sim- 
ilar courtesy. 



L. W. S. 



Vll 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

I. Chickadee-dee and His Chum ... i 

II. Chickadee-dee and Wicked Mr. Shrike 5 

III. Chickadee-dee and the Landlord . . 11 

IV. Where Chickadee-dee Spent the Night 15 
V. Chickadee-dee AND THE Christmas Tree 21 

VI. Chickadee-dee Finds a Valentine . . 27 

VII. Mrs. Bluebird Can't Decide .... 31 

VIII. Chickadee-dee Helps Save the Day . 39 
IX. Mrs. Song Sparrow and Mrs. Robin go 

TO A Concert 47 

X. Little Sammy Song Sparrow .... 53 

XL Bobbie Robin's Mistake 57 

XII. Peter, Copy-Catbird 63 

XIII. Mrs. Yellowbird Tries to Follow the 

Fashions 69 

XIV. Mrs. Yellowbird Sets a New Fashion 75 
XV. Teacher, Teacher, Teacher .... 81 

XVI. Little Lord Baltimore 89 

XVII. The Bravery of Mr. Thrasher . . 97 

XVIII. How Chickoree Did His Errand . . 103 

XIX. Cresty Kingfisher's First Fish . . . no 

XX. What a Little Bird Told 117 

XXI. Mrs. Cedar Waxwing's Adopted Child 122 

XXII. The Judge and the Baby Show . . . 128 

IX 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MEN 
TIONED 



PAGE 



Chickadee i37 

White-Breasted Nuthatch 137 

Downy Woodpecker 138 

Northern Shrike 139 

JuNco 139 

Bluebird 140 

Robin 140 

Song Sparrow 141 

Catbird 141 

Flicker, Golden-Winged Woodpecker .... 142 

Summer Yellowbird 143 

Cowbird 143 

ovenbird 144 

Baltimore Oriole i45 

Brown Thrasher i45 

American Goldfinch 146 

Belted Kingfisher I47 

Cedar Waxwing i47 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



" *Vm pretty good at getting Insects out from 

under the bark.'" {In colors.) . . . Frontispiece 

FACING PAGE 

"Chlckadee-dee wore a little black cap, and a necktie. 
Nutty Nuthatch was a little larger than his 
chum." {In colors.) 2 

"The hawk-like eyes of wicked Mr. Shrike noted 

Chickadee-dee well" 6 

" 'Here's shelter from the North Wind/ cried 

Chickadee-dee." i8 

"'Take my house, will you? I guess not!'" {In 

colors.) 36 

"Old Mr. Woodpecker and his cousin beat their 
rolling tattoo on the dead limb. And gallantly 
did Chickadee-dee play his shrill fife." ... 44 

"Little Sammy Song Sparrow threw back his head 
and sang, oh, so clearly, 'Sweet — sweet — sweet — 
oh, sweet — sweet — sweet — sweet — sweet!'" {In 
colors.) 56 

"There was a great commotion in Mrs. Chipping 

Sparrow's house." 72 

The Home of Mr. and Mrs. Goldfinch. {In colors.) . 106 

xi 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING PAGE 

" *Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, 

TEACHER, do tell me something!' " ... 82 

'As Lady Baltimore Oriole worked, her husband, 
gorgeous in his orange and black suit, whistled 
and sang in the tree tops." {In colors.) ... 90 

"Mr. Thrasher found himself looking into the fierce 

round eye of a strange, box-like thing." ... lOO 

" *Oh, pshaw! I'm not going to dive for that little 

thing. I'm after big fish.'" {In colors.) . . 1 12 

" 'Why, Mrs. Robin, a little bird told me you had 

eaten so many cherries you were nearly dead!'" 120 

"'Oh, what is the trouble? Hush, hush! I'll bring 
you something soon,' said Mrs. Waxwing." 
{In colors.) I2-|. 

"Mrs. Bluebird came first with her beautiful trip- 
lets." 130 



Xll 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS 
FRIENDS 

I 

CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS CHUM 

CHICKADEE-DEE flew swiftly over 
to the old oak-tree, one bright morn- 
ing, and whistled loudly for his chum, 
Nutty, to join him. 

Mrs. Nuthatch heard him and poked her 
head out the window. ^^You'll have to wait. 
Chickadee-dee," she said, ^'till I get Nutty's suit 
mended, he's torn it again." So Chickadee-dee 
waited, whistling merrily all the while. 

It was a clear, cold day, but Chickadee-dee 
was warmly dressed in a light sweater under his 
gray suit. He wore a little black cap, and a 
black necktie under his chin. 

Nutty Nuthatch was a little larger than his 
chum. He, too, always wore a light sweater, 

[I] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

gray suit and black cap. But he never bothered 
with a necktie. 

^'I'U beat you to the hickory-tree!" cried 
Chickadee-dee when Nutty appeared. "Come 
on!" and off they raced. Chickadee-dee bobbed 
along as fast as he could fly, but Nutty reached 
the goal first, just by the flick of a wing. 

Old Mr. Downy Woodpecker, who was cling- 
ing to the trunk of the hickory-tree, watched the 
race with much interest. 

''Good work, Nutty!" he cried. 'Tm glad 
you birds are getting your muscle up. You'll 
need it when the time comes for you to keep all 
these tree trunks and branches free from harm- 
ful grubs and insects, the way I have to." 

"My muscle's pretty good," said Chickadee- 
dee eagerly. 

"What can you do, little fellow? Can you 
hop backwards down a tree trunk the way 
Woodpeckers do?" 

"I can do this," said Chickadee-dee. Seizing 
tight hold of a little twig he proceeded to stand 
on his head, while he picked out a tiny grub 
from the bark with his sharp little bill. He was 

[2] 



I 




'Chickadee-dee Wore a Little Black L.w-. and a Necktie. 
Nutty Nuthatch Was a Little Larger Than His Chum" 

Page I 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS CHUM 

in very good practise, for he often stood on his 
head while eating his dinner. And his mother 
never reproved him for it either. 

'Tretty good! Pretty good!" said old Mr. 
Woodpecker, who had been a great athlete in 
his youth. "Can you do that. Nutty?" 

Nutty gave a merry "quank, quank," and tak- 
ing tight hold with his toes ran head downward 
the entire length of a branch. 

He did it easily, too. All his chums acknowl- 
edged he was the best acrobat in the crowd. 
And his mother was afraid he would run away 
and join the circus. 

Then Chickadee-dee jumped onto a twig, 
swung himself down under it, then up again, 
making a complete somersault, like a human 
acrobat doing the "giant swing." 

How Mr. Woodpecker laughed! "Well, 
well, you birds are quite a team!" 

But it remained for Nutty Nuthatch to do the 
most wonderful feat. Up he ran to the top of 
the tree and started to come down the trunk 
head first. Keeping his feet wide apart, and fas- 
tening his hook-like claws firmly into the rough 

[3] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

bark, he descended swiftly, not even using his 
little square tail for a brace. 

^Tine! Fine!" cried old Mr. Woodpecker, 
who had never done anything like that even in 
his youth. *^Guess you'll spy out every med- 
dling insect under the bark. You deserve a 
prize. Here's a beechnut for you, and one for 
Chickadee-dee." 

Chickadee-dee did not care for nuts, for he 
never could open them with his little bill. 

"I'll crack yours, too," said Nutty. Wedging 
them firmly in a crevice of the bark, he hacked 
them open with his long, stouter bill. 

Inside of Chickadee-dee's nut was a white 
grub, so sweet that Chickadee-dee sang for joy. 
It was much nicer than candy, to his mind. Be- 
sides he felt proud that a bird as big and smart 
as Nutty had chosen him for his chum. 

When the two went home Mrs. Nuthatch was 
watching out the window. "Come right in, 
Nutty," she said. "You've torn your suit again 
on that rough bark, and I shall have to mend it." 
But she did not scold him very much, she was so 
afraid he would run away and join the circus. 

[4] 



II 

CHICKADEE-DEE AND WICKED MR. SHRIKE 

"\ T THERE are you going, Chickadee- 

\ /\ / dee?" asked his mother one after- 
V T noon as Chickadee-dee was start- 
ing off. 

^^Over to Nutty Nuthatch's, mother. I prom- 
ised I'd be over early." 

Mrs. Chickadee shook her head. ^'I think 
you'd better fly around here instead to-day, dear. 
I don't like to have you go so far." 

"Don't try to coop that bird up in the tree," 
instructed Mr. Chickadee. "He'll never be 
good for much if you do." 

"But you know who's been prowling round 
here. I don't know what I'd do if anything 
happened to Chickadee-dee," said Mrs. Chick- 
adee, who was a little nervous. 

"Pooh, that Perkins Cat!" scoffed Mr. Chick- 
adee who, although afraid of the cat himself, 

[5] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

liked to tease his wife. ^'You worry all the time 
about that Perkins Cat. Chickadee-dee has got 
to learn to look out for himself." 

'Well, go then, Chickadee-dee, but start home 
early," said his mother, and with anxious, loving 
eyes she watched him fly off. 

Well might she worry about her small son. 
Other eyes not kind and loving were watching 
Chickadee-dee, as he bobbed merrily along 
across the Beautiful Meadow toward the old 
oak-tree where his chum lived. 

The hawk-like eyes of wicked Mr. Shrike, 
who was perched high in the top of the tallest 
elm, noted him well. 

Mr. Shrike was keeping very quiet that cold 
autumn day, and nobody knew he was about. 
Whenever his harsh voice was heard there was 
always fear and dismay among the feathered 
folk along the Creek. 

Dreadful stories were told of wicked Mr. 
Shrike, who always came from his home in the 
North to spend the winter where it was warmer. 
Often he had been known to chase little bird 
children, Song Sparrows, Juncos, and little Tree 

[6] 







) '\ 













"The Hawk-like Eyes of Wicked Mr. Shrike Noted Chicka- 
dee-dee Well" 

Page 6 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND MR. SHRIKE 

Sparrows. And more than one he had caught 
and carried off. 

Sometimes he would hide himself away so 
carefully and keep so quiet that no one would 
ever dream he was near. 

Again he would perch in the top of the tallest 
elm, his favorite place. From that high point 
the wicked bird could look over the whole of the 
Beautiful Meadow, and plan his mischief. 

Feared and hated by all, he roamed the fields, 
ever watching, watching carefully. Fie was 
large and always dressed in gray. His wings 
and tail were black, edged and tipped with 
white. His hooked bill gave him a cruel ex- 
pression. 

Chickadee-dee truly meant to mind his mother 
and start home early. But he and Nutty Nut- 
hatch got very much excited romping all over 
the old oak-tree. They stood on their heads, 
turned somersaults, and did all the tricks they 
could think of. Old Mr. Woodpecker would 
have enjoyed watching them; but poor Mrs. 
Nuthatch was almost distracted with their noise. 

At last they began a game of flying tag. But 
[7] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

when they were in the midst of it Chickadee-dee, 
surprised to find it growing dusky, remembered 
his mother^s words and started for home. 

As he hurried along he kept thinking about 
the Perkins Cat, and that didn't make him feel 
any braver. But it was not the Perkins Cat who 
was watching for him. 

No one of the Chickadee family is a strong 
flyer. Chickadee-dee's mother had taught him 
not to attempt long flights in the open, but to go 
from one sheltering tree or bush to another. 

As the little fellow hurried along he whistled 
a bit to keep up his courage; but, oh, how lone- 
some he felt! 

When he heard a low twittering in some alder 
bushes he flew toward them, thinking his mother 
had come to meet him. But it was not his 
mother's sweet voice. 

Out from the alder bushes sprang a dreadful 
form. Straight at Chickadee-dee it flew, its 
hawk-like eyes agleam. 

Chickadee-dee gave one look, then turned. 
Oh, how he flew! Wicked Mr. Shrike, close | 

after him. 

[8] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND MR. SHRIKE 

Faster and faster went Chickadee-dee — if he 
could only pass the fence and hide in the thick 
cedar-tree! But faster still flew Mr. Shrike. 

Inch by inch he gained on the little fellow. 
Chickadee-dee heard the snap of his dreadful 
bill. He felt him reaching out to strike, when 
— the Perkins Cat, leaping from the fence, hit 
wicked Mr. Shrike, knocking him head over tail. 

Chickadee-dee, half scared to death, rushed 
on. When at last he reached home he had 
hardly breath enough left to tell of his dread- 
ful adventure. 

"There, Mrs. Chickadee," said Mr. Chicka- 
dee. "Now, I hope you'll stop worrying about 
that Perkins Cat! After all there are worse 
things in the world than cats, and Chickadee- 
dee must learn to watch out." 

In spite of his brave words Mrs. Chickadee 
noticed that little Chickadee-dee was not al- 
lowed to go out again alone, as long as wicked 
Mr. Shrike remained in the neighborhood. 



[9] 



Ill 

CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE LANDLORD 

THERE was great excitement along the 
Creek one morning when it became 
known that the Nuthatch family had 
been warned out of their home in the old oak- 
tree. 

Mr. Nuthatch had been sick and was 'way be- 
hind on the rent. The landlord, Mr. Wood- 
pecker, who had built the house himself, 
wouldn't stand it any longer. 

When Chickadee-dee flew over to play with 
his chum. Nutty Nuthatch, he found the whole 
family in great trouble. ^'You birds fly along 
and play," they were told, but Nutty did not feel 
much like playing. 

From across the Creek came a ringing sound, 
so Chickadee-dee flew off alone to see what it 
was. 

When he reached the big Porter apple-tree he 
[II] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

found old Mr. Woodpecker clinging to an up- 
per dead branch hammering away with all his 
might. 

Old Mr. Downy Woodpecker always dressed 
rather gaily. His black coat over his white 
vest was striped and barred with white. He 
always wore his tiny red cap on the back of his 
head. 

"Hello, Chickadee-dee," he said, "it's a cold 
morning." 

"Yes, Mr. Woodpecker," said little Chicka- 
dee-dee. "You're pretty busy, aren't you?" 

"Busy, well, I've got to keep busy if I'm go- 
ing to get this house done ready to shelter me 
these cold fall nights." 

"Is it going to be a big house, Mr. Wood- 
pecker?" 

Now Mr. Woodpecker was a gruff old fellow 
who usually wouldn't stop to talk to any one. 
But he liked little Chickadee-dee and was 
pleased to have him seek his society. 

"Well, not as big as my summer house. But 
I shall dig in deep so it will be nice and warm." 
And old Mr. Woodpecker drew back his head 

[12] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE LANDLORD 

and struck with all his force, sending his strong 
beak, which he used for a chisel, deep into the 
wood. He drilled away rapidly, striking out 
small chips. He was an expert carpenter and 
was forever building houses. 

"Now when I've slept in this house all win- 
ter," he confided to Chickadee-dee, "I'll rent it 
in the spring and build another for myself. 
That Wren family will doubtless want it." Mr. 
Woodpecker had a good many tenements to rent 
along the Creek. "And if they shouldn't hap- 
pen to care for it," he went on, "some of your 
folks or the Tree Swallow family will probably 
take it." 

"My ! It must keep you busy making so many 
houses," said Chickadee-dee, thinking of the 
poor Nuthatch family without a house to their 
name, and wishing he could help them. 

"Oh, yes. It takes about all my time looking 
after my houses and those rascally tenants that 
won't pay their rent or build for themselves. I 
have to neglect some of these tree trunks and 
branches. I don't have time to get all these 

[13] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

harmful grubs and insects that are injuring them 
out from under the bark the way I'd like to." 

Then little Chickadee-dee gave a hop of joy. 
^'Oh, Mr. Woodpecker, couldn't I help you? 
I'm pretty good at getting insects out from under 
the bark. I'll come and work for you every 
morning, if you'll only let the Nuthatches stay 
in their house." 

How old Mr. Woodpecker laughed! ^Well, 
well, Chickadee-dee, if you'll only put in an 
hour or so every day helping me clean up these 
apple-trees, I'll see what can be done for that 
Nuthatch family." 

So all that winter Chickadee-dee worked 
about the Orchard with old Mr. Woodpecker, 
and the Nuthatches remained undisturbed in 
their home. 



[14] 



IV 

WHERE CHICKADEE-DEE SPENT THE NIGHT 

CHICKADEE-DEE and his chum were 
on their way to spend the afternoon 
with Chickadee-dee's grandmother. It 
was a long way for them to go, but wicked Mr. 
Shrike had left the neighborhood. The Perkins 
Cat was staying in the house nursing a sore paw, 
so there seemed to be little danger. 

Away to the upper end of the Creek they 
flew, and entered the thick woods at the foot of 
the hill. 

When at last they reached the big pine-tree 
where Grandma Chickadee lived, they were 
much surprised to find that she was away from 
home. 

It seems that poor Grandma Chickadee had 
been having a dreadful time. The Red Squir- 
rels had come and camped not far from her 
house and had frightened her almost to pieces. 

[15] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

They were a wicked band bent on mischief. 
And, as the spring advanced, old lady Chickadee 
knew they would like nothing better than to de- 
stroy bird houses, eat up new eggs, and even steal 
and carry off tiny bird children. Just to hear 
their wild chattering had made her so nervous, 
that that very day she had left her home and 
gone to stay with a neighbor. 

Of course Chickadee-dee did not know about 
this. He wondered what had become of his 
grandmother. He was much disappointed, and 
so was Nutty, not to find her. 

Both of them were very hungry, as birds gen- 
erally are. Chickadee-dee knew that his grand- 
mother usually had some goodies tucked away 
somewhere for him. 

Now Chickadee-dee and Nutty ought to have 
gone straight home, instead of staying and rum- 
maging all over Grandma Chickadee's pine-tree 
house. But Nutty went creeping all around the 
trunk. Chickadee-dee went hopping over the 
branches, peeping into every corner, poking his 
little bill into every crack and crevice. 

And sure enough, pretty soon Chickadee-dee 
[i6] 



WHERE CHICKADEE-DEE SPENT NIGHT 

found some nice little grubs that his grand- 
mother had doubtless been saving for him, 
tucked away under the bark. Very quickly in- 
deed he and Nutty ate them all up. Oh, how 
good they were ! 

Then the two started in to have a game of tag. 
They romped and frolicked all over the house. 
They stood on their heads and had such a wild 
time that they failed to notice that it was grow- 
ing dark. 

It was just as well that Grandma Chickadee 
was away. She never could have stood the 
racket. 

At last a big snowflake hit Chickadee-dee on 
the end of his bill. "Oh, Nutty, it's going to 
storm! We'd better go home!" he cried. 

Off they started; but in a few seconds the 
snowflakes came faster and thicker. "Whe — 
ew," came the North Wind, whistling through 
the pines. 

Oh, how it blew! the squall coming suddenly, 
as it often does in early spring. It almost blew 
the feathers off little Chickadee-dee's back. It 

[17] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

grew dark in the woods. He could scarcely see 
Nutty Nuthatch in front of him. 

''Quank! Quank!" Nutty kept calling back 
encouragingly. But the North Wind was so 
fierce he could not fly against it. 

It carried him and Chickadee-dee quite out 
of their course. It took them, bobbing and 
scurrying, on up the hill, farther and farther 
away from home. And many other little birds, 
and many small animals in fur coats as well, 
were caught and stranded by the storm. 

At last a tremendous gust landed Chickadee- 
dee and Nutty among the branches of a big 
hemlock-tree that had a broken top. For a time 
they could only cling to the bark, quite exhaust- 
ed. After a while Chickadee-dee hopped round 
to the other side of the tree. And there, under 
a branch, was a big hole. 

^^Oh, Nutty, come on; here's shelter from the 
North Wind," cried Chickadee-dee. The two 
tired little birds crawled gratefully into the ref- 
uge, without a thought of any danger that might 
be within. Yes, into that unknown place they 
went, glad to escape from the stinging cold. 

[i8] 




'Here's Shelter from the North Wind,' Cried Chickadee-dee" 

Page iS 



WHERE CHICKADEE-DEE SPENT NIGHT 

It was very dark inside, and they could not 
tell what might be down in the bottom of the 
hole. They did not dare move about. 

Nutty Nuthatch actually hung himself upside 
down on the wall, as was his habit. He and 
Chickadee-dee soon went sound asleep, quite un- 
mindful of any peril. 

But when the sun peeped in the next morning 
and woke up Chickadee-dee and his chum, 
something else was peeping in the door at them: 
two big eyes, a sharp nose, two red, furry ears! 
Yes, Mr. Red Squirrel himself, Captain of the 
dreadful band, gazed into his cave, gazed an- 
grily at the intruders. 

Chickadee-dee sprang up in terror. Nutty 
Nuthatch gave such a cry that Captain Squirrel, 
startled, fell back from the entrance. And the 
two darted out past him and flew for their lives. 

So frightened were they that they did not stop 
till they were back in Grandma Chickadee's 
house. 

When they told their story to the old lady, 
who had returned home, she gasped in horror. 
"Oh, Chickadee-dee, was it the big hemlock with 

[19] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

the broken top? Then you birds must have 
spent the night right in the robbers' den. Dear 
me, dear me! If the storm had not kept them 
away till morning, who knows what would have 
become of you!" 



[20] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

FOR many days it had been cold and 
stormy. The wind howled along the 
Creek. The trees were loaded with 
snow and ice. Toward the last of December 
the drifts were high and the cold steadily in- 
creasing. 

Old Mr. Woodpecker was glad he had fin- 
ished his house in the Porter apple-tree. He 
stayed in it a good deal for shelter. It was hard 
for him to fly against the heavy wind. 

Even little Chickadee-dee, warmly dressed in 
his gray suit and sweater, found it wearisome 
work to fly about in the storms. Yet fly he must, 
or starve and freeze. 

It was no fun for him to try to cling to an ice- 
covered twig and dig out a grub that was firmly 
frozen in, while the wind nearly blew off his 
little black cap. 

[21] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

The little fellow grew thin. Mrs. Chickadee, 
his mother, grew thin, so did old Mr. Wood- 
pecker and the Nuthatch family. The fact was 
they could not get enough to eat. 

Mrs. Chickadee, who was usually very cheer- 
ful, began to grow discouraged. She worried 
about Chickadee-dee and her other children. 

One morning, when the snow was still falling, 
she heard a shrill twittering in the air. Soon a 
band of Juncos, that were traveling about, light- 
ed near. They looked dark against the snow. 
They wore their slate-colored hoods pulled far 
down over their heads. Their little vests 
gleamed white beneath. Their tiny bills were 
light yellow, they kept moving restlessly about. 
Their leader hurried to Mrs. Chickadee. 

^^Oh, pray," he begged, ''can you tell us if 
there are any seeds about here? We've had no 
breakfast and we are very, very hungry." 

"I wish I could help you!" cried Mrs. Chick- 
adee. ''Right over there by that fence there 
were a great many seeds. But I'm afraid you 
can't get them, the snow has covered them so." 

*'Yes, I don't know when I've seen such drifts, 

[22] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND CHRISTMAS TREE 

or such cold Christmas weather," said the Junco 
leader who, as he spent much time in the north, 
was a good judge of drifts. "I really don't know 
what we are to do!" 

Mrs. Chickadee felt very badly to think the 
visitors must go hungry on Christmas day. She 
called her son. '^Come, Chickadee-dee, fly 
around and see if you can't find some seed-stalks 
sticking up through the snow." 

Away went Chickadee-dee through the storm. 
His eyes were bright but no seed-stalks could he 
spy. 

At last he left the Orchard and ventured along 
the village street. From the church near by 
came the sound of music, voices singing sweet 
carols. The tiny bird, still hopeful, joined in 
with his cheery ^^dee-dee-dee." 

Back into the garden of a big white house flew 
Chickadee-dee. But even there everything was 
banked high with snow. Something bright in 
the window of the house caught his eye. Made 
bold by hunger the little fellow actually lighted 
on the sill. Behind the glass hung a beautiful 

[23] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Christmas wreath of evergreen, tied with bright 
ribbon and studded over with red berries. 

How Chickadee-dee wished he could pick at 
those berries, perhaps they were good to eat. But 
who could get them there behind the pane? 
They were not for him. The hungry little bird 
turned away and bobbed around the corner of 
the house. 

He lighted on a snowy bush and looked about. 
And there, quite near, was the oddest thing. 
^*Why, what is this?" cried Chickadee-dee. He 
looked more carefully. 

Fastened on a shelf just outside the south win- 
dow of the big house was a little tree, a little 
pine-tree. It was not covered with snow like 
the other bushes, but there seemed to be some- 
thing white on it. Chickadee-dee caught the 
gleam of red. Yes, there were bright berries 
fastened to it. Whatever could it be? 

Chickadee-dee gave a cry and darted to the 
shelf. 

"Oh, my! oh, my!" he cried. "IVe found a 
Christmas tree, a little Christmas tree, a real lit- 
tle Christmas tree!" 

[24] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND CHRISTMAS TREE 

And then he buried his bill in the soft white 
suet, that was tied, like a nice little Christmas 
parcel, to a branch of the tree, and ate and ate 
and ate. With each mouthful the little starving 
bird grew warmer and happier. 

In a moment he stopped and uttering a "dee- 
dee-dee" of thanks started off. "I must tell 
the others," thought he, and home he flew as fast 
as he could go. 

"Oh, mother," he called, "come quick! All 
the Juncos come, everybody come! Come and 
see the Christmas tree, I've found a Christmas 
tree!" 

His little voice rang through the Meadow. 
He called to his chum. Nutty Nuthatch, to fly 
and tell old Mr. Woodpecker and Grandma 
Chickadee. 

Proudly he led the way back to the big white 
house. "Now what do you think of that?" cried 
he as the party drew near the tree. 

Every one began to twitter with excitement 
and delight, for they saw that the tree held pres- 
ents for all. Tied to its branches were nice 
little meaty bones, that were oh, so good to 

[25] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

peck at, pieces of nuts and white suet. On the 
shelf and on the snow beneath all kinds of seeds 
and crumbs were scattered. 

Nobody waited for ceremony, there was 
plenty for all. Each took the present he liked 
best. The hungry Junco band began to pick up 
the seeds and crumbs with astonishing speed. 
Old Mr. Woodpecker, when he came, was 
greatly pleased with nice meaty bones. 

What a merry party it w^as! The snow had 
ceased falling. Every bird, for the first time 
for many days, was having all he wanted to eat. 
From behind the curtains of the house children's 
smiling faces peeped out to watch the fun. 

Nutty Nuthatch pecked away at the nuts and 
stood on his head with glee. Old Mr. Wood- 
pecker declared that the good fat meat made 
him feel like a boy again. Chickadee-dee was 
perfectly delighted with a large seed, which he 
held in his little black toes and daintily picked 
out of its shell. 

Each thankful little bird uttered soft trills and 
chirps of joy. To the happy children who had 
planned the tree their music seemed the sweetest 
of all the Christmas carols. 

[26] 



VI 

CHICKADEE-DEE FINDS A VALENTINE 

YES, to-morrow will be Saint Valentine's 
day, Chickadee-dee," said old Mr. 
Woodpecker, as he clung to the trunk 
of the hickory-tree and worked rapidly to get at 
the grubs from under its bark. 'When I was 
young, I thought sending valentines was the 
greatest fun in the world." 

"What are valentines, Mr. Woodpecker?" 
asked Chickadee-dee. 

"There are different kinds, but I think hearts 
are best," said the old bird, laughing. "But be 
careful what little bird you send a valentine 
to." 

Chickadee-dee knew just the one he'd like to 
to send it to. Of all the little birds in the woods 
he thought Miss Day-day-day was the nicest. 
She wore a fluffy gray feather suit like his own. 
Her little black cap and necktie were very be- 
coming. She was the smartest of all the Chick- 
adees. 

[27] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Once she had come where Chickadee-dee was 
pecking at a frozen apple. He had at once 
flown away, leaving the treat for her. She had 
thanked him very prettily, uttering her little 
winter call of *'day-day-day.'' 

Yes, Chickadee-dee wanted to send her a val- 
entine. '^I'U look about and see if I can find 
one," he thought. So he went hopping and fly- 
ing among the trees, poking his little black bill 
into the crevices of the bark; but no valentine 
could he find. 

He could not go to the store and buy one, be- 
cause no bird in the Orchard kept a valentine 
store. All day long he searched vainly for 
something that would do to give Miss Day-day- 
day. 

Saint Valentine's day dawned bright and 
clear. "Found a valentine for your sweetheart. 
Chickadee-dee?" asked old Mr. Woodpecker, as 
he flew through the Orchard. 

"Not yet," owned Chickadee-dee. He asked 
every bird he met where he could find a valen- 
tine, but no one knew. Still he did not give up 
the search. 

At last he flew over to the big white house, 
[28] 



CHICKADEE-DEE FINDS A VALENTINE 

where on a little shelf outside the window he 
often found something good to eat. Yes, here 
was a nice piece of suet, and what was that be- 
side it? 

^'I guess I've found it," cried Chickadee-dee. 
There back of the suet lay a pretty seed, a white 
sunflower seed with black stripes on it. It was 
the shape of a little heart. 

Chickadee-dee knew it was good and sweet. 
How he wanted to eat it himself! But what 
could be nicer for a valentine? Chickadee-dee 
looked around and there near by in the lilac bush 
he spied little Miss Day-day-day. 

Chickadee-dee seized the seed in his bill and 
flew toward her. As he passed the bush he 
dropped the seed at her feet. 

Miss Day-day-day cocked her head and 
looked at it. Then she fluttered down, picked 
it up and returned to her perch. Carefully she 
shelled out the seed and ate the sweet white 
meat, every grain. Then she uttered a few soft 
notes of thanks. 

Chickadee-dee hopped about in joy. "She 
liked her valentine!" he said to himself. "She 
must have liked it for she's eaten it all up!" 

[29] 



VII 

MRS. BLUEBIRD CAN'T DECIDE 

THE ice was still bordering the edges of 
the Creek, the wind was bleak and cold 
when a traveler reached the Beautiful 
Meadow. 

His wings were a little weary, for he had 
come a long way; but he did not stop to rest. 
Straight to the old oak-tree he flew, and uttered 
a sweet warble of greeting. 

At the sound Mrs. Nuthatch flew out of her 
house. '^Oh, Mr. Bluebird, is it really you? 
Back from the South at last?" she cried. ^'I am 
so glad to see you. We've all been watching for 
you. And is it true that Spring is coming?" 

Mr. Bluebird's beautiful blue wings fluttered 
with joy, his breast shone cinnamon-red in the 
sun. "Yes, tru-al-ly, tru-al-ly," he sang, 
"Spring is almost here." 

"I am so glad!" cried Mrs. Nuthatch. She 
[31] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

knew that Mr. Bluebird was right, for he was 
always the first to bring the news of Spring's re- 
turn. ''And is Mrs. Bluebird well?" 

''Yes, and she will be here soon. I always 
come first, you know. Now I'll look around the 
Meadow a little." 

When Mrs. Bluebird arrived, a little later, 
he was filled with joy. He warbled constantly. 
He wanted to show her everything at once. 

He could hardly wait for Mrs. Nuthatch to 
tell her the news. But of course Mrs. Nuthatch 
had to tell how wicked Mr. Shrike would have 
caught Chickadee-dee if it had not been for the 
Perkins Cat, how cold the winter was, and all 
about the Christmas tree, and how bad her 
rheumatism had been. My, how fast she did 
talk! 

"Come, come!" cried Mr. Bluebird at last. 
"Come, Mrs. Bluebird, you really must rest a 
while." 

It was later in the season that Mr. Bluebird 
made his wonderful discovery. Fast as his beau- 
tiful blue wings could carry him, he flew to his 
little mate. 

[32] 



MRS. BLUEBIRD CANT DECIDE 

^'Oh, dearest," he warbled, ^Tve found just 
the nicest place! Come and see if you don't 
think it would make a lovely little home." 
Swiftly he flew to the Orchard, Mrs. Bluebird 
following him. 

^^Now here is a brand-new house," he said, 
as he lighted on a hollow limb of an apple-tree, 
which had a round hole in it. ^'Mr. Hairy 
Woodpecker made it last fall and it's for rent. 
What do you think of it, dear?" 

Mrs. Bluebird was delighted. She did love 
to look at new houses. She hopped up and 
poked her head in at the little round door. She 
hopped in and looked about. Then she turned 
around, and hopped out again. 

"Yes, it is a nice house, very nice," she said, 
"and it has a fine view of the Creek. But let's 
look at some others." 

"Well then, see what you think of this one," 
said Mr. Bluebird, and led the way to an old 
hollow stump in the corner of the Beautiful 
Meadow. "Now don't you think this would be 
oretty comfortable?" 

Mrs. Bluebird poked her head in at the door. 
[33] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

She hopped in and looked about. Then she 
turned around, and hopped out again. ''Oh no, 
it won't do at all. It is very much out of re- 
pair," she decided. 

"Just as you say, dear," agreed Mr. Bluebird. 
He knew she was a very particular person, and 
he was proud of it. ''Come, I'll show you an- 
other." So eager were the pair that they did 
not notice a little brown speckled bird, who was 
flitting about house hunting, too. 

On the long fence at the edge of the Meadow 
there was a post with a nice round hole in it. 
"Take a look at this," urged Mr. Bluebird. 

Mrs. Bluebird poked her head in at the door. 
She hopped in and looked about. Then she 
turned around, and suddenly hopped out again. 
"What was that note I heard?" she asked. 

"Why, that was — that was " 

The sound came again. "I thought so," said 
Mrs. Bluebird. "That is Mrs. English Spar- 
row's sharp voice. We can't live here. I can't 
have her for a neighbor; she is so quarrelsome." 

"She isn't going to live here. No English 
Sparrows live in the Beautiful Meadow," Mr. 

[34] 



MRS. BLUEBIRD CAN'T DECIDE 

Bluebird told her. But Mrs. Bluebird was fly- 
ing swiftly away. 

Poor Mr. Bluebird followed in great trouble. 
Where could he find a home to suit her? Out 
along the village street she flew, then into the 
garden of the big white house. 

'Will you just look at this, Mr. Bluebird," 
she cried, as she lighted on a pear-tree. ''Here 
seems to be a very different kind of house." 

It did look inviting, the little box that some 
one had fastened to the tree, about twelve feet 
from the ground. 

Mrs. Bluebird looked in at the door. She 
hopped in and looked about. Then she turned 
around, and hopped out again. 

"It's a very fine place," she said. "See, the 
door faces the south. There are no branches be- 
neath for cats to climb up on. Some person 
who knows what birds like put up this house." 

"Let's take it, dear," urged Mr. Bluebird. 
"We can more than pay the rent by catching the 
insects about here this summer." 

"Let's not decide to-night. We'll sleep on it, 
and see how it looks in the morning," said Mrs. 

[3Sl 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Bluebird, who just loved to look at new houses. 

But when she woke next morning Mrs. Blue- 
bird thought at once of that nice new house in 
the pear-tree. She woke Mr. Bluebird. ''Oh, 
let's go right over and take that lovely house!" 

''Yes, dear, we will," agreed Mr. Bluebird. 

They stopped only a few minutes for break- 
fast, then off they flew to the pear-tree. 

Mrs. Bluebird hopped to the little new house. 
"We'll take it," she said, and poked her head in 
at the door. The next second she pulled it back 
very quickly, for out of the door rushed an angry 
little brown speckled bird, Mrs. Jenny Wren, 
scolding and chattering at a fearful rate. "Take 
my house, will you? I guess not! I moved in 
at sunrise!" she screamed, and flew at Mrs. Blue- 
bird and chased her into the plum-tree. 

Mr. Bluebird could rot help laughing. 
Jenny Wren's little tail stuck straight up. She 
hopped about and scolded so loudly that Mrs. 
Bluebird could not make her understand that 
they were only looking at the house and not try- 
ing to drive her out. 

At last Mr. Bluebird flew to them. "Come, 
[36] 




"Take My House, Will You? I Guess not 



Page 36 



MRS. BLUEBIRD CAN'T DECIDE 

Mrs. Bluebird, come away and then maybe Mrs. 
Wren will calm down." 

Mrs. Bluebird was glad to leave. ^^I saw an- 
other nice box house in the mulberry-tree," Mr. 
Bluebird told her. ''It is just as good as this 
one. Don't you want to take a look at it?" 

"No," said Mrs. Bluebird, ''but if it's empty 
we'll move right in. I've looked all I want to." 



[37] 



VIII 

CHICKADEE-DEE HELPS SAVE THE DAY 

AS the spring came on the wildest excite- 
ment reigned among the inhabitants 
along the Creek. In fact the place was 
in such a state of terror as had not been known 
for years. 

Citizen Birds flew armed through the streets. 
Policemen were unable to assure them any de- 
gree of safety. Mother birds hardly dared to 
sleep at night. And every tiny bird child had 
been warned to lie low in his nest and to utter 
no loud cry. 

The wicked band of robber Squirrels, who 
camped on the hill, was the cause of all the ter- 
ror. So sly and treacherous were they that often 
some bird returning to her home, after the brief- 
est absence, would find her loved eggs broken or 
gone. No trace of the thief would be visible, 
save, perhaps, a whisk of a bushy red tail dis- 
appearing through the branches. 

[39] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Bolder and bolder grew the villains. At last 
the wicked Squirrels, banding together, swept 
down from the hill destroying bird homes, com- 
mitting dreadful crimes, and actually carrying 
off to their dens helpless bird children. 

Then came the demand from every citizen 
along the Creek, "Call out the militia!" From 
tree to tree rang the cry, "To arms! To arms!" 

From his home close to the Creek hurried 
Captain Red-Winged Blackbird, the soldier 
bird, who wore proudly on his shoulders the 
gorgeous scarlet and buff epaulets. Many of his 
kind followed him. Golden-winged Wood- 
peckers, large Robins, and Meadowlarks that 
bore dark shields on their breasts, made up the 
greater part of the company. Bravely they flew 
away against the enemy, amidst the cheers of the 
onlookers. 

"Oh, mother," cried Chickadee-dee, hopping 
about in his excitement, as he watched the troops 
from his house, "Oh, mother, I must go, too!" 

"What an idea!" cried his mother, who did 
not realize what a big bird Chickadee-dee had 
grown to be. 

[40] 



CHICKADEE-DEE HELPS SAVE THE DAY 

''Oh, mother! Anyhow, I'll have to go right 
over and see if old Mr. Woodpecker has gone!" 
And off he started before his mother could stop 
him. 

When he reached the Orchard, Chickadee- 
dee was much surprised to find old Mr. Wood- 
pecker working away on one of his houses, calm 
as a clock. 

''Oh, aren't you going to the war, Mr. Wood- 
pecker?" he cried. 

"Going to war, an old fellow like me? Guess 
not, Chickadee-dee. Don't you worry, our sol- 
dier birds will take care of those furry red ras- 
cals all right. Why, when I was a youngster 
just one company of us marched against a band 
of them — I went along as drummer boy, and — 
Hullo, what's that!" Old Mr. Woodpecker 
stopped short, for from across the Creek came 
a dreadful din. 

"They've met the enemy!" he cried, and flew 
to the top of the apple-tree, Chickadee-dee close 
after him. 

"Yes, see! Captain Blackbird, he's a bright 
fellow, has led his company to the very foot of 

[41] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

the hill. That's right! That's right! Press 
the fight right into the enemy's camp !" cried old 
Mr. Woodpecker in great excitement. "Aha! 
Taken them by surprise, hasn't he? Aren't the 
Squirrels falling back, Chickadee-dee?" 

"Yes, yes, they're falling back," cried Chick- 
adee-dee, gazing toward the distant battlefield. 

It was true. Caught unprepared, the Red 
Squirrels at first slowly retreated before the bold 
advance of the Birds. But soon they rallied 
their forces, and took up a strong position in the 
beech-trees. 

Then, indeed, did old Mr. Woodpecker's 
heart grow anxious, as he watched the vain ef- 
forts of Captain Blackbird to rout the enemy 
from their stronghold. Chickadee-dee fairly 
danced in his excitement. 

The din of the distant battle grew louder as 
suddenly a second band of Red Coats appeared. 
Encouraged by this the Robber Squirrels ad- 
vanced. And, slowly yielding, Captain Black- 
bird's troops gave way inch by inch before the 
superior number. 

"They're retreating! Our soldiers are re- 
[42] 



CHICKADEE-DEE HELPS SAVE THE DAY 

treating!" cried Chickadee-dee. ^'What shall 
we do? Oh, come, Mr. Woodpecker, let's go 
to the rescue!" 

"They need help. They need it," owned Mr. 
Woodpecker, about as excited himself. "But 
what could you do, a little bird like you?" 

"Oh, I can play my fife. I'll whistle on my 
little fife, and you can drum, Mr. Woodpecker. 
You know you can drum. Come on! Come 
on!" 

"Yes, yes, I'll drum for them! Come on!" 
shouted old Mr. Woodpecker, his warlike spirit 
awaking. "Go by the way of the dogwood 
bushes, creep up on their flank. Come, Hairy," 
he called to his cousin. Hairy Woodpecker, who 
was near, "come on and drum, too." 

Away went the three, flying swiftly, following 
up the Creek, but keeping well out of sight of 
the enemy. 

Cautiously they made their way, sheltered by 
the thick dogwood bushes, round to one side of 
the hill. And cautiously they crept up on the 
enemy's flank. 

"Come on, comrades," commanded Mr. 
[43] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Woodpecker, making for a dead limb in the 
top of a beech-tree. ^'Now, all together!" 

Then rang out over the battlefield the cheer- 
ing roll of drums, as old Mr. Woodpecker and 
his cousin beat on the dead limb, with might and 
main, their rolling tattoo. And gallantly, with 
all his heart, did Chickadee-dee play his shrill 
little fife. 

At the sound of the martial music the Red 
Squirrels, thinking large reinforcements were 
coming to the aid of the Birds, hesitated in their 
advance. 

Captain Blackbird, taking heart at the cheer- 
ing sound, rallied his forces and with fierce cour- 
age charged the confused enemy. 

Then indeed did the Robber Squirrels fall 
back in disorder, while the drums rang out and 
the little fife sounded shrilly. Then indeed did 
Captain Blackbird drive the Squirrels out of 
the beech-trees and pursue them on up the hill. 
And then did he actually send them in wild re- 
treat down into the valley, from which the thor- 
oughly frightened thieves dared not venture 
again that season. 

[44] 




^Old Mr. Woodpecker and His Cousin Beat Their Rolling 
Tattoo on the Dead Limb. And Gallantly did Chickadee- 
dee Play His Shrill Fife" 

Page 44 



CHICKADEE-DEE HELPS SAVE THE DAY 

Glad were the hearts of the victorious soldier 
birds as they flew homeward. And proud was 
old Mr. Woodpecker as he fell in line. But 
proudest of all was Chickadee-dee who, al- 
though he was only a little fellow, had helped 
to save the day. 



[45] 



IX 



MRS. SONG SPARROW AND MRS. ROBIN GO TO 
A CONCERT 

" ^ X F course you are planning to attend the 
I I concert this evening," said Mrs. Song 

Vw^ Sparrow to her friend, Mrs. Robin, 
who was calling on her one afternoon. 

"The concert? Why, I haven't heard about 
it. I've been so busy settling my new house. 
And you know I haven't cared to go about much 
since that terrible Perkins Cat sprang at me, and 
gave me such a fright." 

"Yes, I know," sympathized Mrs. Song Spar- 
row. "I don't wonder you're nervous; but I 
fear you're shutting yourself in too closely. Do 
go with me, the change will do you good." 
"I believe I will. What singer is to appear?" 
"Why, that is the mystery," explained Mrs. 
Song Sparrow. "No one knows; but the man- 
agement has promised a rare treat. I have an 

[47] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

idea it may be some foreign singer, possibly 
some one who has come from the South." 

The concerts, which were very popular that 
spring, were generally given by home talent. 
But once in a while some outside artist would 
be introduced, then every seat in the entire opera 
house would be taken. 

That evening, about sunset, if any one had 
been watching carefully, a very distinguished- 
looking bird, smartly dressed in a dark slate- 
colored suit and a black cap, might have been 
seen passing quietly from bush to bush. But so 
silently did he go that no one knew when the 
performer of the evening reached the opera 
house. 

A little later Mrs. Robin joined her friend, 
and the two, looking very nice in their new 
spring suits, started out. Mrs. Song Sparrow 
was dressed in a rich shade of reddish brown. 
Her gown was not so showy as her companion's, 
but she wore a beautiful dark jewel on her 
striped vest. 

Mrs. Robin was sure the red front of her dark 
gown was very becoming. She did look nice, 

[48] 



GO TO A CONCERT 

and she knew it; although she realized she was 
a little too stout to be exactly stylish. The fact 
was she could not resist eating a great many of 
the nice fresh angleworms that were so plenti- 
ful in the markets since the spring rains. 

'^Oh, let's not go by the way of the Perkins' 
yard," she begged her friend, ''that dreadful cat 
may be around." 

''No, dear, we'll go through the Moodys' gar- 
den," agreed Mrs. Song Sparrow. 

That did seem a safe plan, but as they were 
passing through, a harmless white kitten ran out 
and began to chase its tail, which caused Mrs. 
Robin to chirp in terror. "Oh, hurry!" she 
cried, and the two flew as fast as possible, and 
reached the opera house quite out of breath. 

Their seats, in the front of the big elm-tree, 
proved very satisfactory. They enjoyed watch- 
ing the audience assemble. Nearly every bird 
at all prominent in society was present. And if 
several did spring from their seats to snap at 
some flying moth or insect, why, that was not 
thought bad manners at all. 

"When do you suppose this afifair will begin? 
[49] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

I feel so curious," said Mrs. Robin, moving rest- 
lessly about. ^'I hear that Miss Vesper Sparrow 
gave a charming recital last week." 

Just then the frogs began to play a soft over- 
ture, and a hush fell on all. From behind the 
leafy curtain of the low, green bush that formed 
the stage a bird's pure, liquid notes were heard. 
Very softly at first, then gradually growing 
louder, clear and high he sang a joyful melody. 

"Why, can that be Mr. Robin?" whispered 
Mrs. Robin, feeling very proud. "I think I 
recognize some of his tones." 

Then the notes of the singer began to ring like 
silver bells calling, calling, through the stillness. 
"It sounds like Mr. Thrush to me," murmured 
Mrs. Song Sparrow. 

Again the song changed, wonderful trills and 
chirps followed a rollicking, joyous lay that ex- 
pressed all the merriment of spring. Mrs. 
Brown Thrasher leaned forward in her seat. 
"That is my cousin, Mr. Mockingbird, from the 
South, I have no doubt," and she tossed her 
head. 

And still the song went on, a wonderful med- 
[50] 



GO TO A CONCERT 

ley, ringing through the leafy hall. Then the 
singer paused an instant and the audience, the 
finest music critics in the world, was just break- 
ing into applause, when suddenly, seemingly in 
their very midst, sounded the frightful squall of 
a cat. 

Every bird in the hall sprang into the air. 

Mrs. Robin shrieked and wildly grasped Mrs. 
Song Sparrow's wing. 

Again came the awful yowl, as though the 
wicked enemy were right among them. 

Bird ushers flew up and down the aisles, cry- 
ing, "Keep your seats! There's no danger! Be 
calm!" 

"I'm going to faint!" gasped Mrs. Robin. 

"You mustn't. You're so stout I can't carry 
you out," cried Mrs. Song Sparrow, forgetting 
to be polite. 

In another second there would have been a 
mad rush, a frightful panic in the hall, if the 
stage manager had not instantly pulled back the 
curtain and revealed the singer — the distin- 
guished-looking person in the slate-colored suit, 
Mr. Catbird. 

[51] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^^Oh, it's Mr. Catbird! It's only Mr. Cat- 
bird!" cried Mrs. Song Sparrow to her friend. 

Mrs. Robin opened her eyes. ^'If I'd had 
any idea this was a ventriloquist show I wouldn't 
have come," she said. 

^^Oh, but you know Mr. Catbird is such a 
mimic. Didn't he sound exactly like the Per- 
kins cat?" laughed Mrs. Song Sparrow. ^'He 
is always playing jokes. But hasn't he a won- 
derful voice? It's only in the spring he sings 
his finest songs. It's a rare treat to hear him!" 

^^A treat? The mischievous fellow!" said 
Mrs. Robin, whose nerves were badly shaken. 

The rest of the audience were not so severe. 
They quickly decided to forgive Mr. Catbird 
for his trick, and broke into wild applause. Mr. 
Catbird bowed and bowed. At last he respond- 
ed with such a beautiful encore that the music 
lovers made him sing thrice more before they 
were satisfied. 



[52] 



X 

LITTLE SAMMY SONG SPARROW 

IT had rained hard all night and still it was 
pouring when Mrs. Song Sparrow arose. 
First, from the garden fence, she uttered a 
cheery little greeting to all the world, as was her 
custom. Then she set about getting breakfast 
for her only child. But, oh, how fussy her little 
Sammy was! 

He chased his mother about, fluttering his 
wings and crying like a much spoiled little bird. 
Poor Mrs. Song Sparrow had hardly time to 
snatch a mouthful herself. 

There were few insects about and Sammy 
pouted naughtily when his mother gave him 
only seeds. 

"I don't like these old seeds," he fussed. "I 
want a nice fat caterpillar!" 

"Then look by that plantain leaf," urged his 
mother, "perhaps one is there." 

[S3] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^^There's a puddle by the leaf. I can't reach. 
I don't like this old rain anyhow!" 

^'I should say you hopped off the wrong side 
of the twig this morning, Sammy," said Mrs. 
Song Sparrow reprovingly. 

In spite of the rebuke Sammy continued to 
complain. He fussed because his feathers were 
damp and heavy, he grumbled because he could 
not play in the Meadow, but most of all he 
fussed because it still kept on raining. 

At last the neighbors noticed it, and Mrs. 
Song Sparrow overheard Mrs. Yellowbird say 
to Mrs. Robin, ^'What a discontented child! 
That little Sammy Song Sparrow must have a 
bad disposition." 

Mrs. Song Sparrow did not stop to hear more. 
A discontented child in the cheerful Song Spar- 
row family, who ever heard of such a thing! 

^'Sammy Song Sparrow," she said, ''fly right 
up on that tree." Sammy obeyed and his mother 
lighted near by. ''Listen, and hear what it is 
your father is singing over there!" 

Just then Mr. Song Sparrow, who was 
perched on a fence not far away, threw back his 

[54] 



LITTLE SAMMY SONG SPARROW 

head and sang in his clear, musical voice, 
" Sweet-sweet-sweet-oh, sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet- 
sweet!" 

^^Now, Sammy, you must try to sing it just the 
way he do^s," instructed Mrs. Song Sparrow. 
*^Sing it, my dear, then look about and see what 
you can see that is sweet and pretty. Then sing 
it again. Keep on till I tell you to stop." 

Little Sammy threw back his head, showing 
the dark breastpin on his striped vest, and gave 
a very feeble imitation of his father's song. 

"That's right," said his mother. "Do just as 
I told you. I am going across the Meadow, 
but I'll be back soon," and away she flew, leav- 
ing Sammy trying his best to sing. 

When his mother returned the little bird was 
still singing. "What have you seen since I've 
been gone?" questioned Mrs. Song Sparrow. 

"Oh, mother," chirped Sammy, "how pretty 
and shiny the lilac leaves look!" 

"Yes, the rain has washed them all clean. If 
it wasn't for the rain there would be no new 
leaves and no flowers in the spring." 

"No flowers!" cried Sammy. 
[^51 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^'No, and then no seeds, and no insects about 
for little Song Sparrow children." 

"Why!" chirped Sammy, "then the rain is 
good, isn't it? And see, the pretty pink roses by 
the Creek are washed all clean, too. And Bob- 
bie Robin and Speckles are getting clean, fresh 
strawberries for luncheon." 

"Yes, the rain is over now; you may get a wild 
strawberry, too." 

"Oh, good!" cried little Sammy Song Spar- 
row, and he threw back his head and sang, oh, 
so clearly, "Sweet-sweet-sweet-oh, sweet-sweet- 
sweet-sweet-sweet !" 

Mrs. Yellowbird heard him and said to Mrs. 
Robin, "Just hear that dear bird! He is going 
to make as fine a singer as his father. He is all 
right now that he has learned to sing instead of 
fuss." 



[56] 



XI 

BOBBIE ROBIN'S MISTAKE 

WHEN Bobbie Robin and his sister 
Speckles ran away one afternoon, 
they thought that no one saw them. 
But their mother, sitting high up in a pine-tree, 
could tell very well the way they went. 

They had been left to practise their music 
lessons, and who ever knew a child that liked to 
practise? Very quietly, for young robins, they 
slipped through the bushes and flew over to the 
Meadow where the iris grew. 

"Let's get up here on the post and see what's 
going on," said Bobbie. 

"No," decided Speckles, "I'd rather stay down 
on the ground. I hear a worm over there and 
I think it is a big one." 

"Well, stay if you want to," said Bobbie, "but 
I'm going to look." And up he flew on the post 
and looked about him. 

[57] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

The Meadow was a very beautiful place. A 
broad Creek, an arm of the river that flowed 
down to the distant sea, ran through the midst 
of it. Great elm-trees grew along its banks. In 
the corner, where the Robin children were, was 
a dense tangle of bushes that nearly covered an 
old, half-broken fence. 

It did not take Bobbie Robin long to find out 
that he and his sister were not the only birds 
in the Meadow. 

Clinging to the fence, not very far away, was 
a little bird boy dressed in a strikingly hand- 
some suit. The back of his coat was brown, 
mottled with black. On the back of his neck 
was a brilliant scarlet collar. His black tail 
was lined with yellow. And when he moved his 
wings Bobbie could see that they, too, had the 
same bright lining, yellow as gold. 

"Oh, Speckles, come up here!" he urged. 
"Here's a fellow all fixed up in a party suit." 

Speckles hastily scrambled up on the post be- 
side her brother to see the sight. "I guess that 
must be young Woodpecker that Mother said 
lives in a hole high up in the old pear-tree. My, 

[58] 



BOBBIE ROBIN'S MISTAKE 

Bobbie, doesn't he look handsome!" she ex- 
claimed admiringly. 

"Pooh!" cried Bobbie Robin scornfully, "he's 
a backwoodsman anyhow! He's only a Wood- 
pecker, sis, if he is all fixed up. His folks have 
been in the lumber business for years." 

"It must pay them well," said Speckles. 
"Guess they're dreadfully wealthy birds. 
Mother says they are called the Golden-wings." 

The young Woodpecker was so busy getting 
ants from the fence where he clung, that at first 
he did not notice the Robin children. At last 
he caught sight of them and bowed very politely, 
as is the manner of Woodpeckers the world over. 
But because he was trying to keep his balance, 
as he bowed he fluttered out his wings and 
showed their golden lining. 

"Doesn't he think he's a swell!" said Bobbie 
unkindly. "Guess he wants to show off. He's 
making fun of us 'cause he's dressed up and we 
aren't." 

"Oh, hush, Bobbie!" murmured Speckles, 
greatly taken up with the stranger's fine clothes, 
as birds often are. "He'll hear you. Don't 

[59] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

you wish you had a lovely red collar like his! 
He's really quite grown up, isn't he?" 

Now Bobbie Robin had been teasing only 
that morning for a red waistcoat like his father's. 
But his parents had decided that he must wear 
his speckled tire a while longer. ^'Young Rob- 
ins never dress like their fathers at first," he 
was told. ^'Nearly all small birds have to wait 
a season before they put on their grown-up 
suits." He felt rather sulky about it, for he was 
indeed fully as large as his parents. 

He did not at all like to hear his sister prais- 
ing the stranger. He felt very cross. He 
hopped about on the post. 

"Pooh! Speckles," he scorned, "he isn't grown 
up. He's got on a bib! See, he's wearing a bib 
like any baby!" If Bobbie had only been older, 
and seen more of the world, he never would have 
made such a funny mistake. 

Speckles gazed in wonder. "Why — ee — !" 
she cried. It was true that with his gay party 
clothes young Golden-wing wore a large black 

crescent on his breast. 

[60] 



BOBBIE ROBIN'S MISTAKE 

^'Hi!" called Bobbie, shouting at the stranger, 
^^forgot to take off your bib, didn't you?" 

Golden-wing in his surprise at the rude bird 
fluttered his wings once more. And Bobbie 
Robin thought he was trying to show off again. 

^^Oh, 'fore I'd wear a bib! Oh, 'fore I'd 
wear a bib!" he called, laughing loudly. 

Golden-wing's father, who was in a tree near 
by, heard the noise and thinking there was trou- 
ble came at once to see about it. 

When Bobbie saw him on the fence beside his 
child, he was very much frightened. Mr. Gold- 
en-wing looked very hard at the young Robin. 
*^So he thinks you've got on a bib, does he?" he 
asked his son. ^'He takes our beautiful black 
necklaces, that have been in the family for ages, 
for bibs! Well, well, that's a good joke! I 
must tell your mother," and he laughed and 
laughed the way Woodpeckers do. 

Poor Bobbie Robin! When he dared to look 
at Mr. Golden-wing, he saw that he, too, wore 
proudly a handsome black crescent on his breast. 
In fact, young Golden-wing was dressed in a 
suit exactly like his father's and had been ever 

[6i] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

since the day he came out of the nursery-nest. 
He was one of the few small birds that did not 
have to wait for their grown-up suits. 

Oh, how green and ashamed Bobbie Robin 
felt to think he had not known what a necklace 
was when he saw one. He jumped down onto 
the ground. 

^'Never mind, son," he heard Mr. Golden- 
wing say, "that Robin is very young yet, and has 
much to learn. He'll be wiser when he gets off 
his speckled tire and into his red waistcoat like 
his father's. Remember, son, only ignorant 
or ill-mannered people ever criticize the dress 
of others." 

Bobbie did not wait to hear more. He hur- 
ried home as fast as he could go, and Speckles 
followed him. 



[62] 



M 



XII 

PETER, COPY-CATBIRD 

RS. CATBIRD often said that little 
Peter Catbird was the hardest of all 
her children to manage, and she did 
not know what in the world to do with him. 

Peter seldom meant to be naughty, but he was 
always flying about seeing what the other birds 
were doing. His mother wanted him to stay 
under cover in the thicket. 

"What is Peter Catbird up to now?" asked 
Speckles of her brother, Bobbie Robin, one 
bright morning. 

"Goodness only knows! Let's watch him," 
advised Bobbie. 

Little Peter looked very funny. There he sat 
on a dead branch of a pear-tree, dressed in his 
dark gray suit and little black cap, his head 
poked out, gazing earnestly. 

Suddenly he launched himself into the air, 
[63] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

made an awkward turn, and came back to the 
branch. Again and again he tried it. What it 
meant Bobbie Robin could not tell. But Mrs. 
Catbird knew. 

Over by the wall she could see Mrs. Fly- 
catcher getting her breakfast. Perched on a 
dead branch Mrs. Flycatcher watched sharply 
till some insect passed. Then she darted out, 
snapped it up and was back on her branch in a 
twinkling. 

'Teter, Peter, Peter," called Mrs. Catbird, 
"come here. What do you think you are doing, 
copying the way Mrs. Flycatcher gets her break- 
fast? For shame! Catbirds should get their 
food in the underbrush. You must stay under 
cover or something will get you." 

"Peter is a Copycat! Oh, Peter is a Copy- 
Catbird!" taunted Bobbie Robin from the blue- 
berry bush. 

Little Peter, however, had no thoughts of 
staying in the underbrush. The very next day 
Bobbie saw him clinging to a branch of an apple- 
tree, and pecking at it vigorously with his little 
black bill. 

[64] 



PETER, COPY-CATBIRD 

In the next tree old Mr. Woodpecker was 
drilling rapidly Into a branch with his chisel- 
like beak, and devouring the grubs he found 
under the bark. 

"Well, well, what do you think you are doing, 
Peter?" he asked, when he saw the naughty bird. 
"That is no way for a little Catbird to act. 
Woodpeckers have bills made to drill into tree- 
trunks; Catbirds have not. They should get 
their food in the thicket." 

"Peter is a Copycat! Oh, Peter is a Copy- 
Catbird!" trilled Bobbie Robin from the cherry- 
tree. 

The next feat that Peter attempted was to fly 
through the air like Mr. Swallow. Mrs. Cat- 
bird saw him vainly trying to make long, sweep- 
ing curves, and to snatch a darting insect in his 
flight. Quickly she called him down to the 
thicket. 

"Peter Catbird," she reproved, "Mr. Swallow 
has broad wings, so he can sail through the air 
and catch mosquitoes for breakfast. But you 
have not. Just hear what Bobbie Robin is say- 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

ing about you! You must stay in the under- 
brush or something will get you." 

But, would you believe it, in less than an hour 
naughty Peter, perched on a dead birch branch 
overhanging the Creek, was watching the water 
just as Mr. Kingfisher, farther up stream, was 
doing. 

Soon Mr. Kingfisher caught sight of a passing 
fish and, splash, he dived in after it. The next 
second Peter shot from his branch, splash, into 
the water. 

At the sound Grandfather Turtle, who was 
dozing in the mud, woke, stretched out his ugly 
neck and snapped angrily at poor Peter. He 
almost snapped his little head oE. 

Half scared to death, Peter managed to flop to 
the shore. His mother met him. Little Peter, 
dripping and miserable, was very glad to follow 
her into the thicket. 

^'Mr. Kingfisher wears an oil waterproof over 
his feathers," she told Peter, ''so he can get his 
dinner from the Creek. You would not like 
fish if you could catch it. Catbirds should find 

[66] 



PETER, COPY-CATBIRD 

their food in the thicket. Will you remember 
now, and stay with me?" 

Little Peter promised to be good. Grand- 
father Turtle had scared him so badly that he 
was very glad to remain safely in the under- 
brush with his mother, and to stop being a Copy- 
Catbird. 



[67] 



XIII 

MRS. YELLOWBIRD TRIES TO FOLLOW THE 
FASHIONS 

LITTLE Mrs. Yellowbird had recently 
moved to Willow Road, and she was 
feeling rather lonesome. Her neigh- 
bors had intended to call on her at once, but had 
neglected to do so. They were all very much 
occupied with settling their own houses; spring 
is such a busy time. So, one afternoon, Mrs. 
Yellowbird was greatly pleased to receive a visit 
from Mrs. Cowbird. 

Mrs. Cowbird was not very well dressed her- 
self, her gown being rather a dingy and shabby 
gray, but she talked a great deal about her hus- 
band's fine clothes, and evidently was very proud 
of his glossy black suit and chocolate-colored 
hood. 

Little Mrs. Yellowbird felt very glad that she 
had recently plumed and dressed her own pretty 
feathers and was looking her best. 

[69] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

*'You have a pleasant little home begun here," 
said Mrs. Cowbird as she looked about. 

'Tes, I like it. Where do you live?" in- 
quired Mrs. Yellowbird. 

^'Oh, we travel about a good deal. I myself 
should not care to settle down in one place," 
said Mrs. Cowbird. ^^You'U find it rather quiet 
here, I fear." 

"Why, yes, perhaps I shall," owned Mrs. Yel- 
lowbird, who had never been troubled by her 
quiet life before. "But when my nest is finished 
and I have the baby birds, I'll be busy enough 
caring for them." 

"Why, my dear," exclaimed Mrs. Cowbird in 
a surprised and patronizing manner, "do you 
really intend to take care of your children your- 
self? You have no nurse maid?" 

Little Mrs. Yellowbird was quite embar- 
rassed; she had never kept a nurse maid in her 
life. "But I like to take care of babies," she 
murmured. 

"Oh, yes, they are cunning; but they confine 
one so. You'll have no time to attend to your 
club and general outside interests. Take my ad- 

[70] 



TRIES TO FOLLOW THE FASHIONS 

vice, my dear, and get some one to relieve you 
of the care. I always have some one myself. 
It's the thing to do," urged Mrs. Cowbird as 
she took her leave. 

Gentle Mrs. Yellowbird was much troubled. 
She could not bear the thought of leaving her 
dear children with a stranger. She feared they 
might be neglected and not warmly tucked into 
their nests at night. And what was more, she 
feared if she left them with some careless maid 
they might learn to imitate her manner of sing- 
ing, and their sweet voices might be ruined for 
life. 

Little Mrs. Yellowbird was young, however, 
and she was much impressed by Mrs. Cowbird's 
airs. If to keep a nurse maid was the thing to 
do, here in the Creek community, then she must 
have one, she decided. 

The very next morning she went over to Mrs. 
Chipping Sparrow's — Mrs. Sparrow had called 
on her the week before — to inquire where she 
could find a nurse maid. 

Mrs. Chipping Sparrow was sorry that she 
could not give her any information. She did 

[71] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

not say anything about keeping a maid herself, 
but she looked rather strange when Mrs. Yel- 
lowbird mentioned that Mrs. Cowbird always 
kept one. 

When Mrs. Yellowbird asked Mrs. Robin's 
aid in her search, Mrs. Robin very frankly said 
she had never kept a nurse maid in her life. 
Mr. Robin often stayed with the children when 
she wished to be away from home. And she 
also had an odd expression when told about Mrs. 
Cowbird's habit. 

It was after Mrs. Yellowbird had grown 
rather discouraged with her search, and had put 
an advertisement for a maid in the paper, that 
she heard, one morning, a great commotion in 
Mrs. Chipping Sparrow's house. Thinking 
there was trouble, she hastened over. 

She found Mrs. Chipping Sparrow flying 
about in great distress. "Will you look at this !" 
she cried. "I had been away a little while, and 
as I came back I noticed Mrs. Cowbird hasten- 
ing down the road. And now just see here!" 

Mrs. Yellowbird looked, and there in Mrs. 
[72] 




'There Was a Great Commotion in Mrs. Chipping Sparrow's 

House" 

Page 72 



TRIES TO FOLLOW THE FASHIONS 

Sparrow's nest, crowded in among her own 
pretty blue eggs, was a larger speckled one. 

'^Why, what does this mean?" asked little 
Mrs. Yellowbird most innocently. 

''It means," cried Mrs. Sparrow in high in- 
dignation, ''that that horrid Mrs. Cowbird has 
left an egg here for me to look after." 

"Mrs. Cowbird!" cried little Mrs. Yellow- 
bird. "Why, where is her own nest?" 

"Oh, she hasn't any nest at all. She never 
troubles to make one. She makes use of her 
neighbors'. It's her way." Mrs. Sparrow's 
wings fluttered in her excitement. "She just 
imposes her children on any one she can, and 
never brings up one herself. Mrs. Song Spar- 
row had one to take care of last year, and nearly 
wore herself out feeding it. And now I've got 
this one!" 

Mrs. Yellowbird could hardly believe her 
ears. "And just think," she said, "she told me 
she would not care to settle down. She said she 
always kept a nurse maid, and advised me to get 
one. I felt dreadfully out of fashion because 
I'd never had one." 

[73] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

At little Mrs. Yellowbird's outburst Mrs. 
Sparrow forgot her anger and began to laugh. 
"Well, well, she evidently regards her neighbors 
as nurse maids. It is well that we people of the 
Creek don't all try to follow Mrs. Cowbird's 
fashions. We find it a pleasure to take care of 
our babies ourselves, and I suppose I'll have to 
do what I can for hers. It is wise to be careful 
whose fashions we follow, my dear." 

Little Mrs. Yellowbird began to sing for joy 
when she heard Mrs. Sparrow's friendly advice, 
and swiftly she flew to have her advertisement 
taken out of the paper. 



[74] 



XIV 

MRS. YELLOWBIRD SETS A NEW FASHION 

A SHORT time before Mrs. Cowbird 
called on her, Mrs. Yellowbird had 
started to work on her nest. Such a 
charming little home as it was! In the first 
place the situation was delightful. Often Mrs. 
Yellowbird had nested in some shrub or bush, 
but this season she chose the willow that grew 
near the spring. 

"Now I want to have this house exactly to my 
mind," she told Mr. Yellowbird, and he agreed 
that it should be. 

Bright and early one morning she started out 
to look for building material. It was along the 
Cape road that she spied a few straws. She 
seized them with joy and carried them back to 
place in a fork of the willow for a foundation 
for the nest. 

Then from the young fern fronds, that were 
[75] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

springing up along the Creek, she gathered the 
soft, white down. As she was placing it with 
the straws, Mr. Yellowbird flew down in great 
excitement. 

''Come right over to the Orchard," he urged. 
"I've found some splendid material there, you 
must have it." Away the two flew swiftly, look- 
ing much like streaks of sunshine in their pretty 
yellow suits. 

''Now what do you think of that?" asked Mr. 
Yellowbird, proudly exhibiting the tent cater- 
pillar's web he had discovered. "Doesn't that 
silk look about right?" 

"Oh, lovely!" cried little Mrs. Yellowbird, 
greatly delighted. "Just the very thing!" 

"Well, rest yourself a bit, dear. You'll find 
some nice little worms under that leaf," said 
Mr. Yellowbird. 

Mrs. Yellowbird did stop just long enough to 
snatch a mouthful, and to hear her husband war- 
ble his sweet "we-chee, we-chee, wee-oo." 
Then she filled her bill with the silky web and 
hastened back to the willow. 

The silk proved the nicest stuff imaginable for 
[76] 



MRS. YELLOWBIRD SETS NEW FASHION 

firmly binding together the down and straws and 
making them fast to the willow. Such a busy 
day as the little bird passed, collecting the fern 
cotton, carrying silk and shaping the pretty cup- 
like nest. When night came she had it well 
under way. 

Oh, how she loved that pretty nest! "Isn't it 
the dearest nest, we-chee, we-chee, wee-oo! Isn't 
it the sweetest nest you ever saw?" she sang in 
joy. "Now what shall I line it with ?" she asked 
Mr. Yellowbird. "I want something very, very 
nice." 

Before the right lining was found Mrs. Cow- 
bird had called on Mrs. Yellowbird and urged 
her to engage a nurse maid. That idea caused 
the little lady much trouble and anxiety. But 
when she found how Mrs. Cowbird had imposed 
on Mrs. Chipping Sparrow, Mrs. Yellowbird 
concluded that the opinion of such a bird was 
not worth caring about. So she went happily 
on with her work.' 

She fussed a good deal about that nest lining. 
No, she did not want grass, she told Mr. Yel- 
lowbird, it was too common. Rootlets were too 
• [77] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 



coarse. ^'Just let me go over on the Cape road 

again. I'll find something." And off she went, 

with Mr. Yellowbird not far behind. 

« 

Sure enough, down on the Cape road she spied 
a number of long, black horsehairs. Those, she 
decided, were just what she wanted. Swiftly 
she made her way home bearing her precious 
find. 

Quickly, but cautiously, she entered the wil- 
low and flew to her loved nest. Eagerly she 
looked at it — then uttered a piercing shriek. 

Poor little Mrs. Yellowbird! She could 
scarcely believe her eyes. There in her beauti- 
ful nest, her loved nest, was a big, ugly, speckled 

At the sound of her shrill cries Mr. Yellow- 
bird came swiftly. ^'Look at this, only look at 
this, Mr. Yellowbird!" she cried. "What shall 
I do? What shall I do? I know who has been 
here! That is Mrs. Cowbird's egg. She has 
left it here in my sweet little nest for me to care 
for. Oh! Oh! Oh!" 

Mr. Yellowbird was greatly concerned. He 
[78] 



MRS. YELLOWBIRD SETS NEW FASHION 

had never seen gentle little Mrs. Yellowbird so 
angry. "And that person advised me to keep a 
nurse maid," she went on. ''Does she think I 
am going to bring up her ugly child? Oh, I'll 
show her!" 

Mr. Yellowbird tried in vain to quiet his wife. 
"I won't be imposed on!" she kept saying. 
''Mrs. Chipping Sparrow may look after one of 
Mrs. Cowbird's eggs if she wants to, but I'll 
not." 

Then, because she was a clever little bird, 
Mrs. Yellowbird flew to find more straws. 
Then she hastened to the Orchard for more cat- 
erpillar's silk. Again she went to work on the 
little nest. So fast and furiously did she work 
that by nightfall she had built an entirely new 
floor to her house, right over the hateful egg, 
shutting it in completely. 

Mr. Yellowbird was greatly charmed with 
his wife's cleverness. "Well, I'm glad you've 
shown the neighbors how to deal with Mrs. 
Cowbird," he told her proudly. 

When little Mrs. Yellowbird laid her own 
[79] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 



pretty eggs on the new floor and hovered them 
happily, he kept such close watch of the dear 
little home that Mrs. Cowbird never dared come 
near again. 



[80] 



XV 

TEACHER, TEACHER, TEACHER 

SCHOOLMASTER OWL was walking in 
the woods one evening when suddenly 
he heard some one calling him. 

Mr. Owl was not feeling happy. His pupils 
had been behaving badly all the week, and this 
made him really very cross. 

Again he heard some one calling loudly, 
and very fast. "Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, 
Teacher, TEACHER!" really screaming. 

Now Mr. Owl had often told his pupils to 
address him as "Mr. Owl," and never on any 
account to call out "Teacher, Teacher," so he at 
once became very angry. He looked about for 
a little stick with which to punish the offending 
pupil. 

Before he could find one there walked up to 
him a little bird, with a spotted breast, who said 
again, "Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER^ 
TEACHER!" 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Then Schoolmaster Owl saw that the offender 
was not one of his pupils but Mrs. Ovenbird. 
"Well, what in the world do you want?" he 
asked severely, glaring at the little bird out of 
his big round eyes. 

"Oh, Teacher, Teacher, you know everything, 
don't you?" asked the little bird. 

"Well, perhaps not quite everything," said 
Mr. Owl, feeling rather pleased; "but there are 
a good many things I do know." 

"Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER, 
TEACHER, do tell me something! I'm nearly 
distracted!" 

"If you didn't scream so loudly you wouldn't 
be," returned Mr. Owl severely. "But what is 
it you want to know?" 

"Oh, I can't make up my mind. I can't make 
up my mind where to build my nest." 

"Why not?" demanded Mr. Owl. He looked 
more closely at the little bird. She was dressed 
in an olive-colored coat, and her light vest was 
spotted and streaked with black. On her head 
she wore an orange cap bordered with black. 
She walked along the ground, instead of hop- 

[82] 






?>'^ 



7l^^-: 



^ 




"S? 






'Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER, Do 
Tell Me Something!'" 

Page 82 



TEACHER, TEACHER, TEACHER 

ping the way most of the Orchard people did. 
Mr. Owl thought she was a very, very foolish 
bird. 

But Mrs. Ovenbird was not a foolish bird. 
She well knew that Mr. Owl was not always 
kind to little birds, that many feared him and all 
his tribe. She had even heard stories of his 
carrying off small birds; but she had also heard 
that no one was wiser than he. So in her trou- 
ble she had overcome her fears and come to 
him for advice. 

^Why not?" demanded Mr. Owl again. 
'Why can't you make up your mind where to 
build your nest?" 

''Why, because I'm so afraid my enemies will 
find it," cried Mrs. Ovenbird. 

"You might hide it up in the big birch-tree," 
said Mr. Owl. 

"Oh, dear, no. The Crows and Jays and Cats 
would be sure to find it there. And you know 
what they do to nests." 

"Then build it farther back in the woods. 
The Perkins Cat seldom goes so far." 

"Oh, oh, I'm afraid the Squirrels will come 
[83] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

back to the woods! You know what Squirrels 
do to nests." 

"Oh, the Squirrels! Grandma Chickadee 
seems to have lived, in spite of the Squirrels, for 
some years. They won't come back very soon, 
after the way the Birds whipped them this 
Spring. But why don't you put your nest 'way 
out on the tip of an elm-tree branch, then no 
Squirrel could get it." 

Mrs. Ovenbird shook her head. "Lady Bal- 
timore Oriole is the only bird who knows how 
to hang a nest out on the tip of an elm-tree 
branch, and fix it so it won't blow down. Be- 
sides, black snakes climb trees, and you know 
what snakes do to nests and little birds." 

Schoolmaster Owl thought a little. "I be- 
lieve you'd better build it on the ground," he 
said. "There are no minks or muskrats round 
here to disturb ground nests." 

But at that the little bird began to scream 
again. "Oh, Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, 
Teacher, TEACHER! Don't you know if I 
put it on the ground the Boy will find it. And 
you know what Boys do to nests." 

[84] 



TEACHER, TEACHER, TEACHER 

*Tooh, Pooh!" said Schoolmaster Owl. 
"Very few boys are cruel enough to harm the 
nest of a little bird who has so many enemies. 
They sometimes help guard such nests." 

"But I don't know about the Boy who comes 
through the woods on his way to school. He 
may be cruel. I shouldn't want him to know 
where my nest was. Where can I hide it? 
Where can I hide it? He has bright eyes." 

Schoolmaster Owl looked very wise. "Yes, 
boys have bright eyes, but they seldom know 
how to use them," he said. "Now, don't worry, 
I'll tell you where to put your nest so no boy 
will find it." 

"Oh, where?" 

Schoolmaster Owl blinked one round eye and 
then the other, then bent his head and whis- 
pered something to the little bird. 

"Oh, thank you, thank you ! That is queer," 
she said, "but I'll try it." And off she walked, 
as happy as could be. 

A few weeks later, Mr. Owl was walking in 
the woods again when a little bird ran up to him. 

[85] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^'Oh, it's you, is it?" he asked. 'Well, how 
about the nest?" 

"Oh, it's perfectly safe! It's safe as can be!" 
sang little Mrs. Ovenbird joyfully. "It has a 
little roof over it, and a door on one side." 

"And has the Boy found it, the Boy with the 
bright eyes?" laughed Schoolmaster Owl. 

"Oh my, no! Oh, Mr. Owl, how wise you 
are!" said Mrs. Ovenbird. 

Schoolmaster Owl, much pleased, puffed out 
his feathers. "And where did you hide your 
nest?" he asked. 

"Why, I put it just where you told me to: on 
the ground right out in plain sight. It's just as 
you said, boys have bright eyes, but they don't 
know how to use them. Come and look at the 
nest." 

Mrs. Ovenbird ran up the path; Schoolmaster 
Owl followed her. And there on the ground, 
where the dead leaves were thick, was the little 
nest rounded up. Leaves and grass formed the 
roof to it, the door was on one side, leaves were 
lying all about it. Right out in plain sight was 

[86] 



TEACHER, TEACHER, TEACHER 

that little nest; but it would have taken very 
bright eyes indeed to have seen it. 

^That's right! That's right!" said School- 
master Owl, nodding his head wisely. He did 
like to appear wise, did Schoolmaster Owl. 

But what do you think? He had told little 
Mrs. Ovenbird to build her nest just where he 
knew her mother, and her grandmother, and her 
great-grandmother before her had always built 
theirs. 



[87] 



XVI 

LITTLE LORD BALTLMORE 

AS it happened he was an only child. His 
home was high up in the very tallest 
elm that grew in the Beautiful 
Meadow. 

Everything in the world had been done for 
the comfort and safety of this baby. His 
mother, Lady Baltimore Oriole, had seen to 
that. Some time before he appeared she had 
found many long strings that some one had 
kindly put out for her, in the garden of the big 
house. 

"Aren't they fine ! They are just what I want 
to start my house," she told her husband. Ea- 
gerly seizing them, she flew to the elm-tree and 
joyfully began her work. 

From twig to twig she carried the string, hop- 
ping in and out among the small branches, over 
and under them. Once, in her zeal, she turned 

[89] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

a complete somersault. Very securely she 
wound the string about the twigs, pulling and 
tugging with great vigor. It was no easy task, 
but she was an expert needlewoman and weaver, 
though her only needle was her own sharp bill. 

Horsehair, too, she used, and fibers of bark. 
Then she searched until she found the strong, 
shiny silk of the milkweed plant. That was 
beautiful to weave into the deep pocket-like 
cradle. 

As Lady Baltimore Oriole worked, her hus- 
band, gorgeous in his orange and black suit, 
whistled and sang for joy in the tree-tops. 
*What makes you so particular?" he questioned. 
^'There is no need of fussing so." 

Lady Oriole looked at him with scorn. "This 
cradle cannot be too carefully made," she said. 
"Here it hangs, 'way out on the tip of this 
branch. What do you think a storm would do 
to a carelessly made nest? But, I can tell you, 
no wind will ever blow down this house, and no 
rain will ever soak it through." 

It was well for the fine fellow that he had 
such an industrious wife. He himself loved to 

[90] 




As Lady Baltimore Oriole Worked, Her Husband, Gorgeous 
IN His Orange and Black Suit. Whistled and Sang in 
THE Tree Tops" 

Page go 



LITTLE LORD BALTIMORE 

sing, and flash about among the trees, and show 
off his handsome clothes. 

And well he might be proud of them. Did 
not the great English Lord Baltimore, when he 
came to this country, admire the orange and 
black suits of the Oriole family, and were not 
the birds themselves named after him? 

For many days Lady Baltimore's baby, after 
he came out of his eggshell home, swung in the 
beautiful silken cradle his mother had made for 
him. He loved to rock to and fro in the breeze. 

His parents searched the Orchard over for his 
food. They captured many moths and cater- 
pillars that were injuring the fruit-trees. Their 
baby ate all they brought him and even cried for 
more. How fast he grew! 

Soon he climbed up to the edge of his ham- 
mock and gazed about him. Other birds lived 
in the same tall elm-tree. They wore pretty 
yellow clothes or soft greens, the shade of the 
leaves. But the Only Child thought his father's 
orange and black suit was the most beautiful of 
all ; he wished his own were like it. 

^'Oh, no," his mother told him, "it is better for 
[91] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

you to wear duller colors, browns and yellows, 
like mine, until you are older and can fly swiftly. 
If you dressed as gaily as your father, your en- 
emies would see you too easily." 

As he looked down from his high home, the 
Only Child saw several large birds dressed in 
somber black, walking about the Beautiful 
Meadow. *'0h. Mother," he cried, "see how 
homely they are ! I should think any one would 
be ashamed to be dressed like that." 

"Those are the Crow Blackbirds, my dear," 
his mother told him. "They always wear 
black." 

"And who are those following after the cows? 
They are dressed in black, too, and have ugly 
brown on their heads. I wouldn't be seen with 
them," said the Only Child, tossing his head 
proudly. 

"Those are the Cowbirds, my dear." 

"There are some big fellows near the Creek. 
They are wearing black, too, but they have a 
little scarlet on their wings. I should think 
they'd wear all scarlet, it's so much prettier." 

[92] 



LITTLE LORD BALTIMORE 

"They are the Red-winged Blackbirds, my 
dear," said his mother. 

Although his parents thought he was wonder- 
fully smart, the Only Child was really very 
backward about flying. Perhaps it was because 
he had no brothers to encourage him. He would 
often climb to the edge of the nest and look 
about, but make no attempt to use his little wings. 
If his father. Lord Baltimore, had not taken the 
matter in hand, there is no telling when he 
would have left his home. 

Lord Baltimore searched the Orchard till he 
found a most tempting moth. This he offered 
to his son, who from the edge of the nest reached 
eagerly for it. But the moth was not, as usual, 
popped into the baby's mouth. With a cry his 
father flew with it to a lower branch. To lose 
that beautiful dinner was too much! Greatly 
startled, the Only Child sprang after it, and the 
deed was done. He had flown! 

How proud his parents were! You would 
have thought he was the first child in all the 
Beautiful Meadow that had ever used his wings. 

[93] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

His mother at once gave a party for him; a 
coming-out party it was, of course. And whom 
do you suppose she invited with the other 
guests? Why, the Crow Blackbirds, the Red- 
winged Blackbirds, and the Cowbirds in their 
homely suits. 

Little Lord Baltimore, the Only Child, was 
much put out when he saw them. He tossed 
his head and would have little to say to them. 

By and by he overheard Mrs. Robin, who was 
hidden by a cluster of leaves, say to another 
guest, "Isn't it too funny for anything — Little 
Lord Baltimore will scarcely speak to his own 
cousins!" 

After that the Only Child could hardly wait 
for the guests to leave. He went at once to his 
mother. "What did Mrs. Robin mean," he 
questioned, "by calling those meanly-dressed 
Blackbirds my cousins?" 

"Why, my dear," laughed Lady Oriole, "they 
are your cousins, the Red-wings and the Crow 
Blackbirds and even the Cowbirds. Black is 
the family color. The Meadowlarks and Bob- 

[94] 



LITTLE LORD BALTIMORE 

olinks are cousins, too. You are proud of your 
father's fine feathers, but always remember that 
what the Oriole family is really noted for is 
its ability to weave strong and beautiful nests." 



[95] 



XVII 

THE BRAVERY OF MR. THRASHER 



M 



R. BROWN THRASHER and Mr. 
Catbird were having a singing-match. 
Mr. Catbird sang from the heart of a 
thick green bush. But Mr. Thrasher perched 
on the very top of a high blueberry bush. He 
threw back his head, gazed up to the sky, and 
sang and sang and sang. 

His bright reddish-brown coat gleamed in the 
sun almost like burnished brass. His creamy 
waistcoat was marked with dark spots. 

All the Birds in the Meadow thought that 

Mr. Thrasher was proud of his fine coat. They 

thought that he was proud of his yellow eyes and 

his long tail that opened and shut like a fan. 

They knew he was proud of his splendid voice. 

In fact, "as proud as Mr. Thrasher," had 

come to be a common saying in the Meadow. 

Many of the Birds gathered to listen to Mr. 

[97] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Thrasher and Mr. Catbird's singing-match. 
Some thought Mr. Thrasher could sing longer 
than Mr. Catbird. Others were sure Mr. Cat- 
bird would win. 

How the two did sing! At last Mr. Catbird 
began to grow a little weary. So he meowed, 
just like a cat, and tried to scare Mr. Brown 
Thrasher. 

Mr. Thrasher was not so easily scared. ^Tes, 
you do sound just like the Perkins Cat; but I 
know it's you, Mr. Catbird," he called. "Are 
you getting tired? My, I could sing all day! 
Can you do this?" and Mr. Thrasher began to 
trill and chirp in a very wonderful way. 

Then Mr. Catbird started again, stronger than 
ever. There is no telling how long the pair 
would have sung, if little Mrs. Yellowbird had 
not suddenly appeared. 

"Mr. Thrasher, Mr. Thrasher," she called, 
"Mrs. Thrasher wants you to come right home." 

Mr. Thrasher stopped in the middle of a trill 
and dashed away across the Meadow. 

Mrs. Thrasher flew to meet him. She was 
wild with excitement. 

[98] 



THE BRAVERY OF MR. THRASHER 

"Some one has found our nest!" she cried. 
"Come, oh, come!" 

Mr. Thrasher could hardly believe his ears. 
How could any one have found that nest which 
they had so very, very carefully hidden away in 
a pile of brush? 

"Wait, I'll see to this, Mrs. Thrasher," he 
ordered, as he slipped into a bush to investigate. 

Yes, it was true! There was a meddlesome 
person actually peeping right into that secret 
nest. It made no difference to the owner that 
the cunning house and its occupants were only 
being greatly admired. 

With a hiss of rage Mr. Thrasher sprang out 
of his bush, his yellow eyes agleam. Mrs. 
Thrasher followed closely, hissing as bravely. 

At the angry sound the meddlesome person 
started, but did not retreat. 

Instead, Mr. Thrasher found himself looking 
into the fierce round eye of a strange, box-like 
thing. 

Bravely he faced it, thrashing his long tail 
about and hissing again and again. There was 
a sharp, clicking noise. 

[99] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Then that meddlesome person actually moved 
a bit nearer that secret nest, and turned that 
awful eye upon it. 

Mr. Thrasher's heart swelled with rage. He 
forgot his own fears. That nest must be saved 
at all costs. 

Puffing out his feathers till he looked twice 
his real size, Mr. Thrasher hurled himself, with 
an awful hiss, bang, against the meddlesome per- 
son's head. 

Mrs. Thrasher, equally as brave, dashed at the 
intruder from the opposite side. 

At the fierce and repeated attacks no wonder 
the meddlesome person was glad to retreat, cam- 
era and all, while the brave Thrashers exulted 
and rejoiced over the safety of their loved home. 

Mrs. Yellowbird, and Mr. Robin, who had 
hurried to offer help, said that Mr. Thrasher's 
attack was the bravest act they had ever wit- 
nessed. They told all the Birds in the Meadow 
about it. 

To their surprise, Mr. Thrasher did not brag 
about it, or appear at all proud. 

"Any bird would do as much to save his home. 

[I GO] 




'Mr. Thrasher Found Himself Looking into the Fierce Round 
Eye of a Strange, Box-like Thing" 

Page 99 



THE BRAVERY OF MR. THRASHER 

Of course I could not have that meddlesome per- 
son finding out the secrets of the Meadow," he 
said, modestly. 

But all the Birds thought he was a great hero. 
After a while they forgot they had ever called 
him proud. And '^as brave as Mr. Thrasher" 
came to be a common saying in the Meadow. 



[lOl] 



r 



XVIII 

HOW CHICKOREE DID HIS ERRAND 



M 



RS. GOLDFINCH finished preening 
the longest feather in her pretty wing, 
then flew to the lilac bush and began 
to call her son. 

"Perchickoree, Perchickoree, Chickoree, 
Chickoree!" 

The ladies in the big house said that she was 
singing; but she was not, she was really calling 
her son. 

^'Chickoree, come, come, Chickoree, I want 
you. Where are you?" she called. 

With a rush and a flutter little Chickoree 
lighted by her side. "Now I want you to be 
a good bird and do an errand for me," said his 
mother. "Are your feathers smooth? Is your 
bill clean?" 

Chickoree gave his wings a little shake, obedi- 
ently wiped both sides of his bill on the lilac 

[103] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

twig, and waited to hear what the errand was. 

^'I want you to go over to the big pear-tree by 
the old white house. If you find Mrs. Purple 
Finch at home, tell her I should be pleased to 
have her come over to tea to-night. Just notice, 
as you fly along, whether or not Mrs. Catbird is 
still staying at the high blueberry bush. Don't 
stop to play on the way, and look out for the 
Perkins Cat." 

Oflf started Chickoree, vaulting in pretty 
curves through the air, singing softly as he flew. 
He felt very proud to think he was allowed to 
go so far from home alone. 

Away he went across the road, taking good 
care not to fly anywhere near the home of the 
Perkins Cat. In a corner of the Meadow he 
saw a big, plump thistle that, he thought, had 
doubtless escaped his mother's notice. Down 
he went to examine it. 

Another little Goldfinch who had reached it 
before him flew up at him with a whoop. Away 
the two went bounding and vaulting through the 
air, laughing and chuckling, having the finest 
game of tag imaginable. But the stranger 

[104] 



HOW CHICKOREE DID HIS ERRAND 

proved the swifter on his wings, and soon dis- 
appeared. 

Then Little Chickoree settled down on a big 
stalk of goldenrod to get his breath and sat a 
bit, forgetting all his mother said about stop- 
ping or playing on the way. 

The sun was warm. The breeze swayed the 
stalk gently. Very likely Chickoree dozed a 
moment, for when a large bird in a slate-colored 
suit lighted near him he was greatly startled. 
But remembering something about his errand, 
he piped out in a weak little voice, ^'Oh, mother 
says won't you come over to tea to-night!" 

'What's that?" said Mrs. Catbird in such a 
sharp, surprised tone that poor little Chickoree 
took to his wings and flew away. 

'Well, of all things!" said Mrs. Catbird to 
herself. "Why in the world has Mrs. Gold- 
finch invited me to tea to-night? I suppose I 
might's well go, though I must say it's very 
strange, I am so little acquainted with her." 
Mrs. Catbird was a rather quiet, unsocial person, 
and it was seldom that she accepted invitations. 

That evening, a little before sunset, Mrs. Cat- 
[105] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 



bird carefully dressed her feathers, settled her 
black cap on the crown of her head and flew over 
to Mrs. Goldfinch's. 

She did not go in a straight line, by any means. 
She passed so quietly from bush to bush, flying 
low, that no one would have dreamed there was 
a Catbird around. 

When Mrs. Goldfinch saw her coming she ex- 
claimed in surprise, *Why, can Mrs. Catbird be 
coming to call as late as this?" 

^^Oh, mother, she isn't coming to call; she is 
coming to tea. I got mixed up and asked her 
'stead of Mrs. Purple Finch," said little Chick- 
oree, who had not found courage before to tell 
his mother of the dreadful mistake he had made. 
Then he flew away in shame. 

Mrs. Goldfinch smothered a little shriek of 
dismay and went forward to welcome her guest. 
But imagine her feelings! Mrs. Purple Finch 
and herself were seed-eaters. She had prepared 
a dainty supper of many nice seeds, but she knew 
Mrs. Catbird was a great meat-eater, liking 
grasshoppers and small insects, and poor Mrs. 
Goldfinch hadn't a bit of meat in the pantry. 

[io6] 




5»IDN€V ^^ 



1 HE Home of Mr. and Mrs. Goldfinch 



HOW CHICKOREE DID HIS ERRAND 

How mortified she was! What kind of house- 
keeper would she be called! 

As she talked with Mrs. Catbird she tried and 
tried to plan what she could do about it. But 
she could think of nothing. She could see the 
fine thistle near by that she had hoped her friend, 
Mrs. Purple Finch, would enjoy. There was 
also plenty of ragweed seed and some white 
crumbs, that a little girl had scattered when she 
ate her luncheon on the stone wall that noon. 

As Mrs. Goldfinch was not very well ac- 
quainted with Mrs. Catbird, the situation was all 
the harder for her. She talked and talked about 
one thing and another till she hardly knew what 
she was saying. It grew later and later, but still 
she did not dare to say anything about having 
supper. 

Mrs. Catbird was very polite and pleasant. 
She admired that part of the Meadow Mrs. 
Goldfinch had chosen for her home. She said 
many pleasant things about her house. 

^What a charming dining-room you have, 
Mrs. Goldfinch," she said at last, glancing up 

[107] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

into a pretty wild cherry-tree that grew very 
near, ''and how convenient it is!" 

Mrs. Goldfinch's heart gave such a jump of 
joy at the idea that her wings actually fluttered, 
and she flew up into the air. Mrs. Catbird 
quickly followed, and before Mrs. Goldfinch 
really knew what she was doing she was leading 
the way up to the cherry-tree dining-room. 

Mrs. Catbird at once set about helping herself 
in the most informal manner, going from branch 
to branch gathering small insects. She praised 
and praised the supper and said everything 
tasted so good. 

Mrs. Goldfinch, although she did not eat 
much herself, was so pleased that she could not 
refrain from uttering a gay little warble now 
and then. The cherry-tree, she felt, had saved 
her reputation as a good housekeeper. 

When supper was over and Mrs. Catbird 
started home at last she urged Mrs. Goldfinch 
to come and dine with her soon. "Oh, there is 
your little son," she said, catching sight of 
Chickoree, who was hiding in a bush. "What a 
dear little bird he is! He must save you many 

[io8] 



HOW CHICKOREE DID HIS ERRAND 

steps flying around and doing your errands for 
you. Well, I must be going, good night. I've 
had such a pleasant time.'' 

Mrs. Goldfinch smiled to herself. She 
thought she would wait till Chickoree was older 
before she sent him on very important errands. 



[109] 



XIX 



CRESTY KINGFISHER'S FIRST FISH 



ONE morning, very early, when the 
Creek was shining and sparkling in 
the sun, two young fishermen might 
have been seen flying swiftly toward its banks. 

Cresty Kingfisher was the first to reach the 
dead limb of the birch that overhung the water. 
He was annoyed when his companion lighted 
just above him. ''I have decided to fish here," 
he said. 

^^Ho!" laughed Chunky Kingfisher, '^I found 
this place yesterday. Have you fished here be- 
fore?" 

Young Cresty hesitated. How he hated to 
own that this was the very first time he had ever 
gone fishing by himself. 

For many days — but that was when he was a 

little fellow — he had lived in a cave, which his 

parents had dug in the bank of the Creek. His 

parents had worked hard to supply him, and his 

[no] 



CRESTY KINGFISHER'S FIRST FISH 

brothers, with plenty of the food they liked best: 
fresh fish. 

Then, when he was larger, Cresty had gone 
with his father and watched him at his angling, 
till the little bird was sure he knew all there was 
to know about catching fish. 

That very morning he had teased so hard to 
go by himself, that at last it was decided for him 
to try his luck. 

^^He has his oil waterproof on," said his 
mother, "and he can't get wet." 

The oily waterproof, which Cresty always 
wore spread all over his feathers, did not hide 
his beautiful gray-blue coat, or his light vest. 
About his neck was a broad band, now of red- 
dish tinge, that would turn to blue as he grew 
older. His wings and tail were short. Like all 
the Kingfisher family he wore on his head a 
large crest. And he really was a wise little bird 
for one so young. 

Now, instead of owning that this was his first 
day of fishing, he turned to his companion. 
"Did you have good luck yesterday?" he in- 
quired. 

[Ill] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^/Good luck! Well, if you could have seen 
the big fish I got!" cried Chunky proudly. 
^'Maybe his mate will come by here and you can 
get him. I'll go on up Creek and you can try.'' 
And Chunky, good-naturedly, flew along. For 
it was a law of the Kingfisher tribe that every 
bird should fish by himself. 

Little Cresty perched far out on the dead limb 
of the birch and peered down into the stream 
below. How the water gleamed and sparkled! 

''Suppose the mate to Chunky's big fish was 
right there under that rock! Was that he com- 
ing?" Cresty drew himself together. ''Oh, 
pshaw! 'twas nothing but a baby fish. Let it 
go! No," Cresty decided, "I'm not going to 
dive for that little thing. I'm after big fish." 

There! there was a gleaming fin, coming, oh, 
so swiftly! Cresty shot from the limb, head 
first. A splash! A dive! "Plunk," said the 
Creek, as he struck it. But he struck it just a 
second too late. The owner of the shining fin 
was gone. 

Quite disconcerted Cresty returned to his 
perch. A funny little figure he made with his 

[112] 




"'Oh, Pshaw! I'm not Gcing to Dive for That Little Thing. 
I'm after Big Fish' " 



CRESTY KINGFISHER'S FIRST FISH 

big crested head and his short, thick body. His 
oil waterproof coat shed every drop of water. 
Again he set himself to watch earnestly. How 
he wished that the mate of that big fish might 
be his! Far up the stream he heard Chunky 
diving again and again. But every time he tried 
it himself the silver fish slipped away. 

For a long time Cresty sat on the limb, watch- 
ing, waiting, learning to be patient. 

Then again, a gleam of light in the stream! 
Cresty made ready. ^^Ah, here he comes! A 
big one!" With a ^'plunk" Cresty hurled him- 
self into the water. His bill closed over his 
prize. 

"I've got him ! I Ve got him ! I've got him !" 
With a cry of triumph Cresty rose from the 
water, flew back to his perch, and at once swal- 
lowed the fish. 

Then he started for home. How he raced 
along! He could not fly fast enough. 

"Here comes our fisherman. Did you catch 
anything?" inquired his mother. 

"Catch anything!" said Cresty, trying in vain 
to speak carelessly. "I met Chunky and he was 

[ii3l 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 



telling about the big fellow he caught; but I 
guess if he'd seen the fish I pulled out, he 
wouldn't say so much." 

*Was he very big, Cresty?" 

"Big! Well, you know that old monster that 
hides under the white rock? Well, the one I 
got was just about twice as big." 

"Why, Cresty," cried his mother, greatly de- 
lighted, "how did you manage it? What a 
breakfast he must have made you. How could 
you get him out of the water?" 

"Oh, that was easy enough," bragged Cresty. 

His mother was much impressed. She con- 
fided to Mr. Kingfisher her belief that Cresty 
would become a very noted fisherman. 

Cresty hastened away to find Chunky and tell 
him of his luck. Then he told each of his 
brothers and sisters about his catch. And every 
time he told the story the fish he had caught grew 
a little larger. But as the day passed Cresty 
ceased to brag and became very quiet. 

His mother, who was busy bringing dinner to 
the other children, looked at him anxiously. 
Yes, as time went on Cresty felt very badly in- 

[114] 



CRESTY KINGFISHER'S FIRST FISH 

deed. His mother wondered if his big break- 
fast had disagreed with him. But that was not 
the trouble with the little Kingfisher. 

He kept looking at the nice, plump fish his 
brothers were enjoying. Oh, how good they 
looked to him! But he did not dare say a word. 

^'There, Cresty," said his mother at last, "you 
might have this little perch, but of course you 
don't want it after all you've eaten." 

"Oh, mother," cried Cresty, unable to stand 
it any longer, "I do want it. Yes, I do!" 

"What, want more dinner after eating the big- 
gest fish in the Creek!" 

"Well, perhaps he wasn't the very biggest," 
owned Cresty. 

"But a great big one, at any rate," said his 
mother. 

"Maybe not a very big one," said little Cresty, 
hanging his head. "I swallowed him so quick, 
mother, I guess, maybe, he might have been a 
little one, for I'm dreadfully hungry now." 

How Mrs. Kingfisher laughed. "Oh, Cresty, 
that fish must have grown some after you swal- 
lowed it. You shall have this perch, dear, and 

[115] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

I'll get you another. I've seen other fishermen 
who would go hungry if all they ate was what 
they caught themselves. But you'd never think 
it to hear them talk." 



[ii6] 



XX 

WHAT A LITTLE BIRD TOLD 

" y^'"''X H, do come with me," called Mrs. 

I I Goldfinch to Mrs. Robin one even- 

V*->^ ing, as she flew past the pine-tree, 
"I'm going over to see Mrs. Purple Finch." 

"I wish I were able to," called back Mrs. 
Robin. "I've just eaten dinner and " 

That was all Mrs. Goldfinch heard. She flew 
along, up and down in pretty curves through 
the air, until she reached her friend's. 

"Mrs. Robin would have come, too, if she had 
felt able," she told Mrs. Purple Finch. "She 
had just eaten her dinner and " 

"Probably it hurt her," interrupted Mrs. Pur- 
ple Finch. "She eats too much, in my opinion. 
It's too bad she's sick. She ought to let those 
angleworms alone; seeds would be much better 
for her." 

Mr. Kingfisher, on his way home from the 
[117] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Creek, lighted near by. ^What's that?" he 
asked, ^^Mrs. Robin sick? Been eating too 
much? Well, I saw her over on the cherry-tree 
yesterday, and she seemed to be making good use 
of her time. She ought to live on fish, that's the 
only decent food. My little boy, Cresty, caught 
his first fish yesterday. He was so tickled he 
thought it was a whale." And Mr. Kingfisher 
flew off, laughing as he went. 

Mrs. Nuthatch put her head out the window 
as he flew past the oak-tree. 'What's the news?" 
she called. 

^'Oh, Mrs. Robin's sick," answered Mr. King- 
fisher. ''She's over-eaten, on cherries, probably. 
Guess her friends are worried about her. When 
will you people learn to live on nice fresh fish?" 
and on he wxnt. 

Mrs. Nuthatch dropped her mending and 
hurried over to Mrs. Chickadee's. "What do 
you think," she cried, "Mrs. Robin's' most dead! 
She's eaten so many cherries that her friends 
don't expect her to live." 

"Oh dear, oh dear, how dreadful!" said Mrs. 
Chickadee. "Come, Chickadee-dee, go quickly 

[ii8] 



WHAT A LITTLE BIRD TOLD 

for your grandmother. She's such a good 
nurse, she'll know what to do." 

Little Chickadee-dee grabbed his black cap 
and tore off to the woods at a great rate. 

He found Mrs. Song Sparrow visiting Grand- 
ma Chickadee. ^'Oh come,'' he cried, ''Mrs. 
Robin's dying! The cherries killed her!" 

"Blackberry wine will bring her to. Fly for 
the doctor!" ordered Grandmother Chickadee, 
and off they all flew. 

Doctor Finch was just starting for his club, 
but he changed his course, and he and Mrs. Song 
Sparrow, and Mrs. Nuthatch, and Mrs. Chick- 
adee, and Grandma Chickadee, and little Chick- 
adee-dee hurried as fast as they could fly along 
the Creek. 

And when they reached the pine-tree, what 
do you suppose? There was Mrs. Robin sing- 
ing away in the top branches. 

'What is the matter?" she chirped in great 
surprise. 

"Why! Why! Aren't you dead?" gasped 
Mrs. Song Sparrow. 

[119] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Doctor Finch looked at his patient critically. 
^'She doesn't seem to be," he said wisely. 

"Of course Fm not dead ! Who told you such 
a thing?" cried Mrs. Robin. 

"Why, a little bird told me you had eaten so 
many cherries you were nearly dead!" said Mrs. 
Song Sparrow. 

"Eaten so many cherries I was dead! Well, 
of all things!" cried Mrs. Robin, who had a very 
big appetite and was rather ashamed of it. 
"Why, I've hardly spent tent minutes in the 
cherry-tree to-day." 

"Oh, dear Mrs. Robin, it was a happy mis- 
take," trilled Mrs. Song Sparrow. 

"Quite a mistake," said Mrs. Robin tartly. 
"Why, I'd just had dinner and should have gone 
calling with Mrs. Goldfinch, but I wasn't able 
to. I had to sing baby Bobbie and Speckles to 
sleep. I never felt better in my life!" 

"Dear me, madam, one can't depend on all 
one hears. You certainly are looking well," 
said Doctor Finch. "Perhaps, since I am here, 
I might suggest a little lighter diet. But you 

[120] 




'Why, Mrs. Robin, a Little Bird Told Me You Had Eaten so 
MANY Cherries You Were Nearly Dead!'" 

Page 120 



WHAT A LITTLE BIRD TOLD 

certainly are looking very well," and Doctor 
Finch departed for his club. 

Mrs. Song Sparrow, and Mrs. Nuthatch, and 
Mrs. Chickadee, and Grandma Chickadee, and 
little Chickadee-dee departed, too, since Mrs. 
Robin did not ask them to stay. And of course 
Bobbie and Speckles were awake by this time, 
and Mrs. Robin had to sing them to sleep again. 



[121] 



XXI 

MRS. CEDAR WAXWING'S ADOPTED CHILD 

THERE was trouble in the Orchard. 
From the Baldwin apple-tree came the 
cry of a baby Robin, who called and 
called for some one to come to him. All the 
morning long poor little Squaretail had been 
crying. He was, oh, so hungry! 

Mrs. Cedar Waxwing, swinging herself to 
and fro on the very tip-top of the cedar-tree, 
heard the cries but, at first, did not trouble her- 
self about them. 

Mrs. Waxwing was extremely fond of cedar- 
trees. In the spring, when she had discovered 
this one in the garden near the Orchard, she at 
once told Mr. Waxwing that their home must be 
near that spot. 

Perhaps she knew that the soft fawn-colors of 
her coat looked well against the dark back- 
ground of the cedar. It was a lovely coat which 
she wore, lit up with pretty touches of color. 

[122] 



MRS. CEDAR WAXWING'S CHILD 

On her head was a crest like a little bonnet. 
A velvety black line ran back of the crest. The 
light front of her coat shaded into soft yellow. 
A narrow band of bright yellow decked the end 
of her tail. And on her dainty wings were 
dashes of scarlet, like drops of sealing-wax. 
That was why she was called Mrs. Waxwing. 

Although she was so beautifully dressed, and 
might have been one of the leaders in society, 
Mrs. Waxwing chose to live a very quiet life. 
She mingled little with the Orchard people. 
She was a gentle bird with very elegant man- 
ners. In fact, all the Waxwing family were 
noted for their fine manners. 

Above all Mrs. Waxwing never meddled with 
any of her neighbors' affairs. But this morn- 
ing, as the cries of the baby bird continued, she 
grew uneasy and anxious. 

At last she could stand it no longer. Swiftly 
she flew to the Baldwin apple-tree and peeped 
into the nest. Sure enough, there was a poor 
little Robin child all alone, crying with all his 
might. 

"Oh, what is the trouble? Hush, hush! 
[123] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Don't cry so! I'll bring you something soon," 
said Mrs. Waxwing, and hurried away after 
food. 

All day long, when she was not busy caring 
for her own children, she fed the starving bird. 
Soon she learned that because of an accident that 
befell them the parents of the little Robin would 
never come to him again. 

Then Mrs. Waxwing showed her true good- 
ness of heart. From that time, in spite of her 
many cares, she gave little Squaretail the same 
loving attention that her own children received. 

Oh, how much the little fellow ate! And how 
fast he grew! Soon he was trying his wings and 
fluttering on the edge of the nest. ^'I want to 
fly! I want to fly!" he cried. 

"Come, then, I'll show you how," encouraged 
Mrs. Waxwing. 

Such a time as she had with him! In spite of 
her patient teaching Squaretail only succeeded 
in fluttering down to the ground, where he re- 
mained crying loudly. Mrs. Waxwing had to 
coax him for nearly half a day before he gained 
courage to fly to the cedar-tree. But oh, how 

ri24] 




S^tt^Kiey 



'Oh, \\'hat Is the Trouble? liusn, Husii I I'll Bring You 
SoAiETHixG Soon,' Said AIrs. Waxwing" 

Page 134 



MRS. CEDAR WAXWING'S CHILD 

proud she was when at last he reached its thick 
branches! 

There was just one thing about her adopted 
child that troubled Mrs. Waxwing greatly. His 
voice was very strong, and his loud cries always 
made her nervous. Her own voice was low and 
gentle. She never raised it above a soft lisping 
call. She tried patiently to teach little Square- 
tail to be less noisy. 

Day after day she gave him, and her own chil- 
dren, careful lessons in manners. She really 
took more pains with the little Robin than with 
any of the others. 

At last she felt proud of Squaretail, who tried 
very hard to be as polite as his foster brothers. 
He was a fine, strong little bird, and could dig 
angleworms now as fast as any young Robin. 

Mrs. Waxwing was fond of talking about him 
and telling her friends what a wonderful little 
bird he was. One afternoon, when several of 
the members of the Waxwing family called on 
her, she was much pleased to introduce him to 
them. ''This is my adopted son, Squaretail," 

[125] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

she said, and was delighted with the pretty way 
he bowed. 

Little Squaretail found himself closely seated 
on the limb of an apple-tree in a row with five 
gentle Waxwings, three on one side of him, two 
on the other. They were all eager to see the 
little Robin they had heard so much about. 
They talked together in their gentle, lisping 
voices. 

Squaretail sat very still and behaved very po- 
litely. At last Mrs. Waxwing excused herself 
for a moment and flew to a lower branch of the 
tree. There she quickly captured a fine, large 
caterpillar. 

Delighted with her success she returned to her 
guests and passed the delicacy to the first Wax- 
wing at the end of the branch. She in turn 
handed it to her neighbor, who at once presented 
it to the next Waxwing, who in turn passed it 
politely to little Squaretail. 

Now little Squaretail had sat still just about 
as long as he could. He was very hungry and 
was longing to get down and dig for worms. So 
when that fat, juicy caterpillar was thrust into 

[126] 



MRS. CEDAR WAXWING'S CHILD 

his very bill by his neighbor, little Squaretail 
gave a sudden gulp and, to his mother's horror, 
swallowed the whole of it. 

Poor Mrs. Waxwing nearly fell from the tree, 
she was so ashamed. And yet she felt that 
Squaretail's seeming greediness was partly her 
own fault. She had neglected to tell the little 
Robin that when a treat like that was passed 
about, the Waxwings thought it polite for each 
one to take it and at once pass it on to his next 
neighbor. Indeed, the Waxwings alone among 
all birds were noted for this practise. No won- 
der the little Robin had made the mistake. 

Mrs. Waxwing, who had been so proud of his 
manners, tried to hide her feelings. ^^There, 
Squaretail," she told him kindly, ^'it's hard for 
a little bird to sit still so long. You may fly 
down on the ground now, and dig if you want 
to." 

Her friends tried to console her. ^'He is a 
fine, strong bird," they said, '^and will be a 
credit to you. But it is too much to expect that 
a Robin will ever have the manners of a Wax- 
wing." 

[127] 



XXII 

THE JUDGE AND THE BABY SHOW 

GRANDMA CHICKADEE said it was 
no use talking, there ought to be a 
bird baby show that summer. 
Everybody agreed that there were a great many 
beautiful babies in the Meadow. All the bird 
mothers and fathers had worked hard to feed 
and care for their children, and they thought It 
would be fine to have a show. So Mrs. Robin 
and Mrs. Song Sparrow and Mrs. Goldfinch 
were appointed as a committee to arrange for 
one. When Lady Oriole promised to come and 
to bring Little Lord Baltimore, the three knew 
the affair would be a success. 

Each bird mother, who was consulted about 
the show, was delighted with the idea, and each 
one had some new plan to offer. 

Mrs. Kingfisher thought they ought to have a 
diving contest in the Creek, and give a prize to 

[128] 



THE JUDGE AND THE BABY SHOW 

the best diver. The committee hardly knew 
what to say to that; they did not like to own that 
little Cresty Kingfisher and his brothers were 
the only birds in the Meadow who knew any- 
thing about diving. They told Mrs. Kingfisher 
they would have to think it over. 

Mrs. Goldfinch wanted them to have races, 
she was certain her little Chickoree would win, 
he was such a fine flyer. 

Mrs. Cedar Waxwing was anxious to have a 
worm-digging contest. She knew her adopted 
son, Squaretail, could dig worms faster than 
other little birds. 

The committee decided there must be prizes 
for the prettiest bird baby, the smartest bird 
baby, the fattest one, the best-mannered baby and 
for the baby with the sweetest voice. 

Then the question arose, who should be the 
Judge? That did not trouble them long. "I'll 
fly over and ask Dr. Finch," said Mrs. Song 
Sparrow, "he knows all about babies." 

Dr. Finch hated like everything to be judge 
of that baby show. He knew that if he decided 
that little Sally Song Sparrow was the prettiest 

[129] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

bird, all the other bird mothers would be jeal- 
ous, and very likely employ some other doctor. 
But he did not dare refuse Mrs. Song Sparrow. 
"I'll come if I can," he promised. 

When at last the day of the event arrived, 
every mother bird in the Meadow spent a very 
busy morning. Each baby had to be scrubbed, 
and all his feathers nicely dressed. Then he 
was told just how to behave, and had to practise 
making pretty bows, while his mother admired 
him and just knew her own baby was the pret- 
tiest and sweetest of all. 

The afternoon of the show was bright and 
warm. The hay in the Beautiful Meadow had 
been cut and the haystacks were heaped up. 
Very early the. babies began to arrive. 

Mrs. Bluebird came first with her beautiful 
triplets. They sat very close together on a little 
twig, and oh, they did look cunning ! They kept 
very quiet and were such good birdlings. Once 
in a while their mother would bring them some 
nice insect. Then they would thank her in their 
soft little voices and flutter their tiny wings. 

Mrs. Kingfisher arrived next with Cresty and 
[130] 




Mrs. Bluebird Came First with Her Beautiful Triplets" 

Page 13a 



THE JUDGE AND THE BABY SHOW 

her five other children. The six began to tease 
to go to fish in the Creek. 

Mrs. Cedar Waxwing's children sat in a row 
very close together, and little Squaretail sat with 
them and behaved very nicely. 

Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Song Sparrow and Mrs. 
Goldfinch wanted all the babies to be seated 
near together, so the Judge could easily look 
them over and decide which was the prettiest 
bird baby, which was the fattest, and so on. But 
it was hard for those babies to keep still. 

"I do wish the Judge would come," Mrs. 
Robin kept saying; but the Judge was late. 

Mrs. Yellowbird's pretty children kept flitting 
about among the leaves. Mrs. Robin had had 
a hard time getting Speckles and Bobbie cleaned 
up ready for the show, and now she could hardly 
stop them from getting down on the ground and 
digging for worms. 

Young Golden-wing and little Lord Balti- 
more were there, but they did not attract any 
more attention than any of the other children. 
The bird mothers flew about admiring all the 
babies. 

[131] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

^^They are the finest lot of babies ever raised 
in the Beautiful Meadow," said Grandma 
Chickadee. 

^They certainly are," agreed Mrs. Goldfinch; 
*'but I do wish the Judge would come." 

But Dr. Finch was late, very late indeed, and 
all the babies grew very restless. 

Pretty soon those birds simply could not be 
good and sit still any longer. Little Peter Cat- 
bird started in to chase his cousin. Brownie 
Thrasher. Chickoree Goldfinch began to sing 
a funny little baby warble, and his mother could 
not stop him. Cresty Kingfisher and his broth- 
ers made for the Creek, and began to splash and 
dive. 

Confusion reigned among all the babies, and 
their mothers could not keep them in order. 
Bobbie Robin, Speckles and Squaretail jumped 
down on the ground and started to dig worms, 
hard as they could dig. 

Just then Dr. Finch's errand-bird arrived with 
word that Dr. Finch had been called away to 
see a patient (and lucky enough it was for him) 
and couldn't come to judge the show. 

[132] 



THE JUDGE AND THE BABY SHOW 

"Oh dear me, what shall we do! Whom can 
we get for Judge at this late hour? Those ba- 
bies are getting perfectly wild," cried Mrs. 
Robin. 

"Why," purred a soft voice, almost in Mrs. 
Robin's ear. "I'll be Judge. I'd just as soon 
as not," and the Perkins Cat walked round the 
side of a haystack! 

Such a shriek as went up at the sight of that 
obliging cat! Every bird mother called a warn- 
ing to her children. Such a mad scrambling as 
those babies made for safety. 

It tickled the Perkins Cat so to see them that 
he laughed till he rolled over and over, and 
waved his paws in the air. 

"My, aren't they fine birdlings! Aren't they 
pretty! Aren't they fat! I know which one 
should have the prize," he said. 

Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Thrasher flew at him to 
drive him home, they had done it before and 
knew how. "Who ever heard of a cat's being 
Judge of a bird baby show!" screamed Mrs. 
Robin. 

"Pooh! Pooh! It's easy enough. Little 
[133] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Squaretail should have the prize. He minded 
quickest when he heard his mother's warning. 
He should have the prize," declared the Perkins 
Cat, as he ran home fast as he could go. 

''He is right, if he is only a cat," said Mrs. 
Robin, and the others on the committee agreed 
with her. 

So little Squaretail was given a prize, to the 
delight of Mrs. Cedar Waxwing, his foster- 
mother. And all the little birds were allowed 
to have a party, since they did not have to be 
judged. 

They chased each other about and played 
games. They sang and ate the biggest supper, 
sat up very late and had the greatest fun that 
ever was. 

They really were the finest lot of bird babies 
ever raised in the Beautiful Meadow along the 
Creek. 



[134] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 



CHICKADEE (BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE) 

Titmouse family 

Length about 5 inches. 

Upper parts gray. Top of head, nape and throat 
black. Underneath whitish, sides and belly light 
buff. Wings and tail edged with white. Chicka- 
dee is a friendly, cheery little fellow, of downy 
plumage. He hunts the trees over for insect 
eggs and bugs. His call is a lively chickadee- 
dee-dee-dee. Towards spring he utters a plain- 
tive phoebe call. 

Nest is sometimes hollowed out by the Chickadees 
in a decayed tree. Sometimes placed in a natural 
cavity of apple-tree, or an old Woodpecker's hole 
is used. 

Resident. 

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH 

Nuthatch family 

Length about 6 inches. 

Upper parts bluish-gray. Top of head and nape 

[137] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

black. Sides of head white. Underneath throat 
and breast white, reddish on belly. Wings and 
tail dark, marked with black and white. Bill 
long and strong. 

A bird that does much good by feeding on the 
destructive insects that are concealed under the 
rough bark of trees. A great acrobat. 

Nest is hollowed out in a tree and nicely lined. 
Often deserted holes, that have been hollowed 
out by other birds, are used. 

Resident. 

DOWNY WOODPECKER 

Woodpecker family 

Length 6.^ to 7 inches. 

Upper parts black striped with white; a red patch 
on the back of the head. Underneath white. 
Tail wedge-shaped, the outside feathers barred 
with black and white. A stout bill which is 
used as a chisel. 

This bird has no song, but utters a 'clear call. 
Is fond of drumming on hollow trees. 

Female lacks the scarlet cap. 

Nest is in a hole which he hollows out in a dead 
limb. In the fall he often digs out another hole 
in which he shelters himself winter nights. His 
deserted homes are often used by other birds. 

Resident. 

[138] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 

NORTHERN SHRIKE 

Shrike family 

Length 9.5 to 10.5 inches. 

Upper parts bluish-gray; a black stripe passes 
through the eyes and extends back of them. Un- 
derneath light grayish. Wings and tail black, 
a white patch on wing; tail long, broadly edged 
and tipped with black. A dark, hooked bill. 
The Northern Shrike pursues and kills many 
small birds, as the Juncos, Tree Sparrows, 
Chickadees. It overtakes and strikes them while 
they are endeavoring to escape. It is called the 
Butcher-bird. It often kills more than it can 
eat, and hangs its victims up in a tree. Can imi- 
tate the call of other birds. 

Winter resident, roves about. 

JUNCO 

Finch family 

Length ^.^ to 6.^ inches. 

Upper parts slate-colored. Head and neck very 
dark. Underneath, throat and upper breast, 
dark slaty-gray; lower breast and belly white. 
Outer tail feathers, white. Bill light. 

Female has lighter plumage. 

[139] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

The JuxHcos go about In bands and become quite 
tame in severe weather when food is scarce. It 
Is also called the Snowbird. 

Winter resident, rovers. 



BLUEBIRD 

Thrush family 

Length 6.^ to 7 Inches. 

Upper parts azure-blue. Underneath, throat and 
breast cinnamon-red, belly white. Tail broad. 
Eyes large. Has a remarkably sweet call. Re- 
turns north very early. Destroys many cater- 
pillars and cankerworms. 

Female has duller plumage. 

Nest is made in holes of trees, in deserted Wood- 
peckers' holes or in boxes put up in trees. 

Summer resident; a few remaining during the win- 
ter. 

ROBIN 

Thrush family 

Length 9 to 10 Inches. 

Upper parts dark olive-gray; h'cad blackish, marked 
with white about the eyes. Underneath, throat 
streaked with black and white; breast chestnut- 
[140] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 

brown or brick-red. Wings and tail dark. 

Outer feathers of tail tipped with white. 
Female of duller plumage. 
It destroys many insect pests in the orchard. Can 

express by his voice many different emotions. 
Nest made of mud, weeds and grass. 
Resident, but only a few remain in winter. 

SONG SPARROW 

Finch and Sparrow family 

Length about 6.^ inches. 

Upper parts streaked with brown and gray; top of 
head reddish-brown. Underneath whitish, much 
streaked with dark brown. A brown stripe on 
each side of throat, and a very dark spot on 
breast. Tail grayish-brown. A contented, 
cheerful bird, a beautiful and constant singer 
with many varied songs. 

Nest is placed low, on the ground or in a bush. 

Resident; a few birds stay during the winter, 

CATBIRD 

Mockingbird family. 

Length about 9 inches. 

Upper parts slate-color; top of head black. Under- 

[141] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

neath lighter slate-color. Tall black with a 
reddish patch beneath it. 

A fine singer and great mimic. As an imitator 
of the notes of other birds it is said to be second 
only to the Mockingbird. It destroys many 
plant-eating bugs. 

Nest is usually made in a bush. 

Summer resident. 



FLICKER, GOLDEN- WINGED WOODPECKER 

Woodpecker family 

Length 12.5 to 13 inches. 

Upper parts brown, barred with black; a white patch 
on rump that is conspicuous in flight. Head gray 
with a scarlet band on nape. Underneath, throat 
and breast lilac-brown, thickly spotted with 
black, belly buff with black dots. A black cres- 
cent on the breast. Many of the feathers of 
wings and tail black, lined with bright yellow. 
Bill long. The male has black patches, which the 
female lacks, on each side of head. 
Although a Woodpecker, the Golden-wing feeds 
much on the ground. It eats quantities of ants, 
also grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and 
other harmful insects. Has a loud, laughing 
call. It is also called the Yarup, Yellow Ham- 
mer, High Hole, etc. 

[142] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 

Nests often in a hollow tree ; other birds frequently 

occupy its deserted homes. 
Resident; a few stay during the winter. 



SUMMER YELLOWBIRD 

Wood warbler family 

Length about 5 inches. 

Upper parts greenish-yellow; crown of head golden. 
Underneath bright yellow, streaked with brown- 
ish-red. Wings and tail dusky, edged with yel- 
low. 

Female of duller plumage. 

Its song is a pleasing warble. It feeds almost 
entirely on insects and proves of great value in 
orchards and garden. 

Nest is placed in bushes or trees, a dainty affair 
which sometimes has two or three stories when 
its owner is troubled by the Cowbird. 

Summer resident. 

COWBIRD 

Blackbird family 

Length 7.5 to 8 inches. 

Upper parts iridescent black; head and neck gleam- 
ing brown. Underneath, breast gleaming brown. 

[143] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Female brownish-gray, somewhat streaked beneath. 
It follows the cows about and feeds on insects 
that are disturbed. Its song is an unpleasant 
warble. 

For a nest it uses that made by some other bird. It 
imposes its eggs on smaller birds for them to 
care for. Sometimes the female Cowbird even 
throws out an egg of the rightful owner of the 
nest, and leaves one of her own in its place. 

Summer resident. 



OVENBIRD 

Wood warbler family 

Length about 6 inches. 

Upper parts olive-green; crown brownish-orange, 
bordered by two black lines. Underneath white, 
black spots on breast and sides. 
A very shy bird, a walker. Its call of Teacher, 
Teacher, Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER, 
begins softly and rapidly grows louder, is well 
known. In the spring at evening it sings a won- 
derfully sweet song, while it soars, like a lark, 
into the sky. 

Nest is made on the ground. It is built of leaves, 
roots, etc., is shaped like a Dutch oven, with a 
little roof and an opening in the side. 

Summer resident. 

[144] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 

BALTIMORE ORIOLE 

Blackbird family 

Length 7.5 inches. 

Upper parts black; lower back orange. Underneath 
brilliant orange. Wings with white band, a 
patch of orange on shoulders. Tail black, tipped 
with orange. 

Female of duller plumage; general color olive-yel- 
low, wings and tail brown. A gay bird, with a 
ringing, whistling song, valuable for its destruc- 
tion of gipsy and brown-tail moths. 

Nest — a deep pocket, woven of strings, hair, plant 
fibers, etc., usually suspended from a tall tree. 

Summer resident. 

BROWN THRASHER 

Thrasher and Mockingbird family 

Length about 11.5 inches. 

Upper parts bright, reddish-brown. Underneath 
whitish, breast and sides much spotted with 
brown. Tail very long; two white bars on wing. 
Eyes yellow; bill dark, long and curved. 

Female of somewhat duller plumage. 

The Thrasher spends much time In scratching 
about the ground in the underbrush. It destroys 

[145] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

many grasshoppers, May beetles, grubs, etc. 

When alarmed It utters a sharp ''chick" and 

makes a hissing noise; a splendid singer. 
Nest Is built of twigs and is sometimes lined with 

fine rootlets, Is often placed In a pile of brush, 

sometimes on the ground. 
Summer resident. 



AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 

Finch family 

Length about 5 inches. 

Upper parts bright yellow; crown black. Under- 
neath yellow. Wings and tail black, edged and 
marked with white. 

Female, above olive-brown, beneath yellowish. 

In the winter the Goldfinch loses Its gay suit and 
becomes a little greenish-brown bird with yel- 
lowish breast, and black and white wings and 
tail. 

Goldfinches are fond of traveling about in flocks. 
Their flight Is undulatory; they utter sweet lit- 
tle calls of "perchlckoree" and "dearie." Their 
song Is canary-like. They feed much on seeds 
of weeds. 

Nest — a dainty affair of grass and moss with a soft 
lining. 

Resident. 

[146] 



DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS MENTIONED 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

Kingfisher family 

Length 12.5 to 13 Inches. 

Upper parts grayish-blue; head and back of neck 
heavily crested. Underneath white, a blue belt 
across breast. Wings and tail spotted and 
marked with white; tail short. Head is large 
and bill heavy and long. 

Female has reddish bands instead of blue. 

A haunter of streams and rivers, an expert fish- 
erman, utters a loud rattling call as it flies. 

Nest is a hole which it digs out of the side of the 
river bank. 

Resident. 

CEDAR WAXWING 

Waxwing family 

Length 7.5 to 8 Inches. 

Upper parts cinnamon-brown, rump grayish, head 
crested lilac-brown, forehead and sides of head 
black. Underneath, breast lilac-brown, belly yel- 
lowish. Wings and tail dark; bright red tip on 
some of the wing quills, tail with yellow band 
across end. Bill dark. 

[147] 



CHICKADEE-DEE AND HIS FRIENDS 

Female of duller plumage. 

A roving, gipsy bird whose beautiful plumage is 
always smooth and in perfect ordef. They 
travel about in flocks and are said to be exceed- 
ingly polite to each other. They have no song 
and their call note is only a soft whisper. They 
are great eaters and are valuable for their de- 
struction of cankerworms, etc. Also called the 
Cherry-bird and Bonnet-bird. 

Nest is often made in an orchard, a loose structure. 

Resident; roves about. 



THE END 



[148] 



;r|:ijH!ij!!lOii;i'h|i!'!S 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





